The Stamper Story

family

2012-01-22T22:44:00.000-08:00

I was looking though old pictures tonight and just had to post this video. I'm so thankful for this bunch of people God has allowed me to share this life with. They sharpen me and make me laugh. I know more about Christ because I know them. I love you Jason, Jonas, Ella, Kate, Isaac, Mom, Dad, Mark, Anne, Titus, Ezra, Simeon, Levi, Mark, Amy, Ian, Emmaline, Justin, Stephanie, and Max!

two years ago today...

2012-01-10T21:27:00.000-08:00

two years ago today
...emergency surgery was preformed on Jason to start the process of removing infection that was taking over his body and was in the blood stream. This type of infection kills over 80% of the people who get it when sepsis is already present at the time of hospitalization. The doctor told me that night that if Jason were 20 years older he would be dead. His age was the only thing he had going for him at the moment. The doctor said that there was really no explanation for the infection and that it was just "bad luck". Through God's grace I replied that although we didn't know why this was happening we did know who was allowing it to happen and that we had complete confidence in Him.

two years ago today

... I dared to imagine life without my husband. I knew it was wrong. I knew to think truth, but the doubts and fears were very real for 2 weeks as his life was touch and go. I still have moments of fear and doubt about the uncertain future, especially since we know that God is moving us to the Philippines. It is a very real fear of mine that God calls some to a life of trials to produce patience and enduring faith as a testimony of God's goodness for His glory. I realize that since we experienced one trial doesn't mean we are exempt from any more. While it's certainly a reality to me that life can change in an instant I know that God is unchanging and His grace will always be present.

I haven't shared this photo with anyone yet. For a long time I couldn't look at it. I took this the first day in the hospital because Jason and I were relieved that he was there and had surgery and had some pain relief. We didn't know here that this infection was still present and spreading and the next few weeks would be a fight for Jason's life and would be the most trying time of our lives.

two years ago today

...we were allowed by our loving Father to experience a trial that in every way at every time caused us to glory in God. He was real and working and powerful. It was amazing. We would never choose to experience a trial, but even now are thankful for it.

Anytime God handpicks you to walk through a trial to help display His glory is a high calling. I'm reminded when I reminisce about the past two years that God is bigger than me and my life and my trial, but may choose to use me for His glory in a way I'd never imagine or choose. I'm comforted with the hope of eternity today as I parent my children, as I relate to my neighbor, and as I adjust to divine interruptions in my schedule. The hope of eternity strengthens my faith not only in mundane tasks but also in great trial. Every day is a gift from our Father and what He wills is our calling.

If you're interested you can read last year's post here.

Christmas activities

2011-12-31T10:17:00.000-08:00

grandpa entertaining the little two with his movies and music:

decorating the gingerbread house with grandma:

grandma ended up "decorating" their mouths!

enjoying our beautiful creation:

Isaac's first look at our gingerbread house when he woke up from his nap:

This is our annual draft:

We have an overload of stuffed animals. Does anyone else out there tend to accumulate these like we do? The kids LOVE their animals and play with them and sleep with them and take them everywhere. Some of them are very special and others aren't so much. Before Christmas it's necessary to purge and make room for more so this is our way of going through the animal friends. We place all of the animals on the couch and Jason leads the draft. The kids choose one at a time in an organized fashion which animals are their favorites and we let them keep a certain amount and then the left-overs disappear. ;)

We played lots of games:

(Amy's thrilled that I have my camera out )

holiday baking:

(Isaac "helping" me with his choo-choo)

Some for giving, some for eating:

tea

2011-12-30T21:38:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, Isaac asked me for tea. He doesn't speak very much or very clearly, well, compared to kate the great. So, I was trying to understand what this new word "t" could mean. Isaac could tell that I was not getting it even though he kept saying "t", "t", "t" over and over to me. Finally he brought me over to the counter where he sees us getting our hot drinks and said again, "TEA" and pointed just like this. I always have my iphone in my pocket so I whip it out and snatch pictures like this often. I love it for that. This really isn't anything momentous, just a fun little moment in Isaac's life that I caught. Isn't life thousands of these little moments. It's impossible to capture them and to document them all, but hopefully catching a few will help me remember someday. And of course, we did stop and sit down and enjoy some hot tea together. :)

my boy asking for tea

more checkers

2011-12-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

and this time, playing with Kate. She understands the game, but was hilarious and really not into winning. We had fun. She had my undivided attention and that's what mattered.

Christmas

2011-12-24T22:37:00.000-08:00

There are 13 of us in the house this Christmas. It's cozy. We are loving it. Jason's parents and sister are here. There is nothing better than family and I'm so thankful they can be here this Christmas. We could NOT believe the piles of presents that kept accumulating under our tree. We are really blessed, but keep in mind- 13 people!

BEST. GIFT. EVER. = baby Emmaline

We had to have a little photo shoot with our baby doll tonight since it's her first Christmas.

Aunt Elizabeth is staying in the girls room and they are loving their "sleepovers" and Ella's bed on the floor. (Kate always sleeps on that little crib mattress and then shoves it under the big bed during the day.)

best friends

Today at 4:50 (of course, minutes before hardware stores shut down for the holidays) we noticed a huge water leak in our basement. Yep, the water heater busted. That means 13 people are down to one toilet, no shower or tub, 1 bathroom sink, and 1 kitchen sink. 2 weeks ago our dishwasher broke (It's just because we went 4 years using it without a water softner). So, I'm now doing dishes by heating water on the stove! Fun Christmas memories are happening all around. Tonight Jason and I posted the following on facebook. At least we have our sense of humor and each other which of course is all that really matters. We are blessed and no matter what curve comes down the road we have abundant grace for each moment. We are joyfully celebrating our Savior this Christmas season!

by Jason:

Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a drop of hot water
Yet the carpets were doused.

The water heater tank
had been cracked with such care
By rust and by age
Well beyond repair

And mamma in her kerchief,
and I in my cap
No showers for us,
Well, we're just going to stink tomorrow I guess.

my response:

Twas weeks ago, dear
that our dishwasher broke
the replacement was me
and that's really no joke.

I thought I might get one
from old St Nick
but now I'm afraid
that we'll get a new water heater instead and until then I'll have to keep boiling pots of water on the stove just to wash my dishes by hand but I'm not complaining because at least I have running water and don't have to chop wood and haul pails of water from the creek out back

a good game of checkers

2011-12-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

I'm enjoying Christmas break. The kids have two weeks off. We have had a bout of several weeks of sickness at our house. The stomach flu has seemed to make it's way slowly but surely through each member of the family. It hasn't been brutal, but it's annoying that it's taken weeks to leave us. We have enjoyed a lot of at home relaxing time because of it though. It's been good to say "no" to filling our time with all kinds of other obligations and to take time to do what's important. We've played lots of games, colored lots of pictures, made lots of crafts, and read lots of books. I rarely find time/ make time to sit down and play board games. It's just so much concentrated time. When I do it it's so rewarding though. The pictures below were snapped with my iphone during a very long game of checkers with Ella where she truly almost beat me!

wish lists

2011-12-16T20:26:00.000-08:00

I wish I could say that this post was about all of the great charitable giving my kids and I are involved in this holiday season, but it's not. It's rather about the selfishness being alive and well over here. It's a quite opposite post from this one. My kids recently wrote their annual wish lists to their grandparents and here they are. I wanted to remember them.

Jonas' list was divided into categories and it included things like "Cars 2- must have !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", not only very specific lego sets, but the words "a lot of other legos too", "no clothes please !!!!!!!!!!!!!", under the weapons category (yes, a whole category) he wants "a real flame thrower", under the video games category he lists specifics but requests "a lot of other ones too", and last but not least :) "pizzas, real food"

Ella asks for a toy horse, a toy castle with a princess, paints, cupcake stickers, any kind of books, Barbie dresses, a pretty nightgown, and a puzzle.

Kate wants an American Girl doll magazine, a Barbie coloring book, a Barbie cell phone, Peter Pan DVD, play clothes for Bitty Baby, play clothes for Kit, a toaster, a microwave, and a coffee maker.

Isaac's lists included the things he likes. They are loud, have wheels, and go fast. just. like. isaac.

Isaac's birthday party

2011-12-10T21:41:00.001-08:00

This is our first ever character themed party. I've never been into those, but I'm sure into this little boy and he loves Toy Story. So, I embraced it!

Buzz Lightyear is a favorite.

birthday party tatoos- Kate likes Bullseye.

A balloon that has provided much pleasure long after the party is done.

I saw these guys on Pinterest and knew I had to try them for Isaac's party. They were so fun! Thanks to Stephanie for all your help!

"2 infinity and beyond" cheesy, huh?! :)

Stephanie holding baby Emmaline. It's a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it!

favors for the kids and a barrel of monkeys

Isaac enjoying his cupcake

more of the little green guys

Mark is being tough as he gets his first tatoo

What Toy Story party is complete without having fun with Mr. Potato Head?

Jonas and Ella imitating their alien faces

Mr. Potato Head is one of those toys that I keep in the top of the closet for special occasions. I just can't stand all those pieces all over the house. Therefore, Isaac was entertained for quite a long time by the "new" toy!

Thank you for the cars, grandma and grandpa Stamper! Isaac is a kid on the go and he sure loves anything with wheels!

felt ears, black gel icing, Mentos candy eyes, sour green apple straw candy for the antenna

the left over aliens waiting for "the clawwwwww" (aka, a hungry Stamper) to choose them

enjoying his fun cards

This one was obviously very exciting. Thank you, great-grandma Stamper!

The car on the front of the card captured his attention and he asked each of us to "read it" several times.

re-reading his cards

Thank you grandmas and grandpas for your cards, gifts, and phone calls. We wish you each could have been here to help us celebrate Isaac's two years with our family. We are so thankful to God for this precious gift He's entrusted us with.

my baby is two

2011-12-10T19:09:00.001-08:00

This sweet boy is two. I'm not sure how the years go by this quickly. Time is something I ponder often. It's probably something that most infinite beings are intrigued by. I think age and maturity give more perspective on time, but it's still hard to wrap your brain around. I know every mom says it, but I honestly don't know where the time has gone. As each new year is marked in my kids lives I am more motivated to make each day count. These early formative years go so quickly!

We enjoyed a nice day celebrating our little man. He has always liked "oy, oy, E" (Toy Story 3). He especially likes "Buzsh" Lightyear. More pics to come.

(comments on the above pic: Isaac always wants to do what the others are doing. He's actually, NOT content until he's doing exactly what they're doing. This includes going "side" when they go outside. The problem is that he has trouble keeping his boots on in the snow. Since I took this picture I've figured out how to keep them on. He also has 2 hats on because he likes to wear hats. He wanted both of them.)

Heritage Days

2011-11-27T21:32:00.001-08:00

Jonas was Sir Gawain, one of King Authors knights, this year for Heritage days. He recounted the story of nobility when he cut off the head of the Green Giant! We thought he would be put in the category of a character from historical fiction, but instead he was paraded to the front with all of the pioneers, pilgrims, and Indians. He definitely stuck out as well as his story! ha!

Ella was Louisa May Allcott, the author the the novel Little Women. Ella loves the book on cd of Little Women and the movie (also one my favorites!). This was her idea. Maybe we'll have a writer one day. :) We looked through many google images of Victorian period dress and came up with this hat made from half of a paper plate. I decoupaged black fabric onto it and as it dried formed it to this shape for her head. The fabric flowers were from another project I've done before. So, it was simple and cheap and turned out perfect for our little author.

Thankful Tree

2011-11-27T21:09:00.001-08:00

I've posted this idea before and talked about it here, but here's our version this year. I've gotten tired of making new leaves each year so this year after we traced and cut all the leaves I laminated them and we write on them with dry erase markers.

the right one

2011-11-26T21:41:00.001-08:00

We like to cut down our own Christmas tree and these pics are from our tree cutting adventure this year. We went on the day after Thanksgiving to our favorite tree farm and enjoyed some hot chocolate, a hay ride, and "Swedish Christmas Sausage" around a bonfire after carefully choosing the right tree. We have enjoyed unusually nice weather so far this year. As you can see there isn't even snow on the ground yet! Each day without snow is a gift at this point in the year.

Thanksgiving at our house

2011-11-26T21:40:00.001-08:00

My parents were here for Thanksgiving. We had a very relaxing day at home. Taking into account a brand new baby in the house and grandparents who would be leaving the day after Thanksgiving, we didn't cook a turkey- for the first time in 9 years! Instead, we bought 3 rotisserie turkey breasts the night before and cut them and put them in a crock pot on warm all night. The turkey was perfect and moist and made for a completely stress free day.

Uncle Mark and Jonas played several games of checkers.

We introduced grandma and grandpa "B" to the movie Tangled. Isaac runs (he seldom walks) around singing "I have a dream, I have a dream, I have a dream..." at the top of his lunges. He's crazy!

Both Kate and Ella LOVE to hold baby Emmaline any chance they get. They hold her for a s long as they can. They are enamored with their new "sister-cousin". :)

We started the morning with donuts and egg nog- special treats!

enjoying grandpa

I'm pleased to announce that for the first time in Kate's life her hair is long enough for a ponytail! She has finally stopped twisting and twirling her hair into knots. YEAH! Now she has the goal of never cutting her hair to be just like Rapunzel. Ha!

We enjoyed some of the nicest weather I can remember here for November. The kids were able to play outside with grandma and grandpa all morning on Thanksgiving day while I worked in a quiet and empty kitchen preparing all the food. It was wonderful! I ran outside every now and then and took pictures and videos of the fun.

Grandpa B and Isaac are two pees in a pod. They are both rough and loud and intense and FAST. Isaac loved being pushed all over the place by his grandpa while they chased and dodged kids and balls. They both thought it was especially fun to run and bump over obstacles.

Kate has a style all her own and I love it.

Sweet Emmaline is very content. This is how she spent the day:

Grandpa B got very efficient at keeping both the little guys happy.

When I asked Jonas what his favorite part about grandma and grandpa's visit was he told me about playing "cops and robbers" with grandma. I think these next few pictures were during the capturing and tying up of Ella, the cop.

Enjoying our feast:

Ham, turkey, gravy, rolls, baked cheesy potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, sweet potato casserole, cranberry jello salad, and a veggie tray

We ate early in the day so that we could enjoy eating (especially yummy desserts) all the rest of the day! Here Isaac is chilling with grandma (on Ella's bed) after our meal.

watching football

good company and a good game

and we end with more adorable sweetness

announcing...

2011-11-15T06:40:00.001-08:00

Emmaline Rose was born on 11-14-11 at 11:20 AM. She weighs 7 lbs 7 oz and is 21" long.

And here are the pictures of her first day. She was all of 7 hours old when little brother, Ian, and aunt Beth got to visit her. First of all here is the cutest little, big brother bringing flowers to mommy.

This hat was knit by a few older ladies who volunteer time and talent at the hospital. This one was their gift of love to Emmaline. She's wrapped in a fleece swaddler provided by the hospital. She'll be sent home with a pink one.

Amy's food tray's are delivered with fresh flowers. They are beautiful and we had fun with a little photo shoot last night.

Emmaline's first day was of course full of sleep, but when she was awake she seemed perfectly content even with our playing dress up with her!

And here is the new little family of FOUR!

my nerds

2011-11-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

yeah, right.

2011-11-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

It's hard to get a picture of all 4. Sometimes this is the best I get. You'd think they would pose perfectly when they are dressed up for church and are looking so cute. Yeah, right.

pictures from our trip to Lakewood

2011-10-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

The weekend that we went to Lakewood, WI was perfect for fall here. The leaves were beginning to change colors, but the vivid greens were still showing also. We were blessed with great weather.

Ella gets everything set up around her when we travel. She's a lot like me. Even when it's time to watch a movie everything is in order.

Jonas is always drawing. That's always been his favorite thing to do.

The drive was only 5 1/2 hours. Very nice.

Isaac eats the whole time and feeds his cars and animals. He says, "hungry?" And he has them reply emphatically, "hungry!" Then they proceed to sample everything that goes in his mouth. It's cute. I could watch that for hours. Well, I DID watch that for hours. :)

Here is Northwoods Bible Fellowship. It's just like coming home to drive around the corner and up the road to pastors house at the top of the hill.

Thank you, Scott and Cathy, for taking us to the zoo! And for housing us and feeding us. This little white goat followed our family all around the zoo. It had free roam of the place and it even noticed everyone lining up for a picture here and had to join in!

The tigers were only a few yards away from us with this seemingly thin wire between us. This cage was a little frightening. Do you see the remains of his dinner scattered all around the ground?

The kids enjoyed running back and forth the length of the grizzly bear cage. The cubs would follow them up and then back down. They did that for a long time. I have a lot of good videos!

These cubs were cute and fun to watch, but look at the size of those claws and these are just babies!

Here's our little white goat friend. He especially liked to stick close to Isaac. Once he even butted him and almost knocked Isaac right over! Isaac loved it.

running to see a kangaroo

following Scott and Cathy back home

So thankful for the beautiful weather and great friends to spend the day with!

Jason was also able to preach at Northwoods on Sunday morning and our little family felt like celebrities. We were warmly welcomed and asked to explain what we know of our future in the Philippines. We are thankful to have so many praying brothers and sisters in Christ in Lakewood. We are blessed.

a little trip

2011-10-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Twelve years ago, Jason and I started attending Northwoods Bible Fellowship in Lakewood, WI while we were at Northland. God used that local church in our lives in a tremendous way. The pastor and his family were then and have continued to be a blessing to us. They have mentored us and encouraged us in our personal spiritual growth. We love them! Two weekends ago we had the opportunity to go to Lakewood for the weekend. There's a zoo in Lakewood that had tiger cubs. It was fun to pet these animals. The zoo was small but had a huge variety of wild creatures and they were all so close! At large zoos (we've been to many) you see animals in huge exhibits and they're usually pretty far away, but this place was crazy! We were just feet away from grizzly bears and fierce tigers. I don't think we'll ever have the opportunity to gather around a table at a Minnesota zoo and interact with tiger cubs like we did here. It was awesome.

BlogPress

2011-10-02T16:40:00.001-07:00

We traveled to see dear friends this weekend and are very thankful for Christian fellowship and safe travels.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Amy {and baby E}

2011-09-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Today is Amy's 27th Birthday. Happy Birthday, dear Amy. Everyone who knows you knows theres a beauty inside and out that makes you special. We love you!

blurry Mark being a dork and making us laugh, as usual

Amy is 33 weeks pregnant with a sweet baby girl. Amy was helping Mark outside today. He's been installing fence sections to completely fence in our back yard. This is going to be amazing! Frequently we have random dogs and random strangers walking right through our back yard. There are a lot of immigrants in our neighborhood and a lot of rental properties. Anyway, these next few pics were fun. I grabbed my camera and took advantage of Amy's cuteness since she's preggo and it's her birthday. And, yes, I watched as she lifted and held fence sections in place. Hello! I had pictures to take!

I cannot believe the goodness of God in allowing us to live with our brother and sister. It's amazing. It's working out so well. We are a good team put together by the grace of God and are looking forward to our future ministry in the Philippines. Have I mentioned that before on here? Details will be for another post.

a full day

2011-09-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

This morning started out with a traffic jam of eager children waiting with excitement for our trip to the apple orchard. They rode their bikes around and around in circles for such a long time.

Isaac was adorable and I had to grab my camera. He tries so hard to do everything that the big kids are doing and he pretty much succeeds. He kept getting frustrated, but he kept trying to keep up.

I love his brand new big boy haircut. I almost cried as I watched Jason cutting all of his hair off, but now I think he's so adorable. I can't stop looking at him!

More frustrations... and YES, I did button his shirt wrong! I didn't even know I did that until I looked at these pictures tonight. I was so busy that I just grabbed something to put over his t shirt as he was following everyone out the door and quickly buttoned him up from behind the running kid!

This is the kid hay maze at the pumpkin patch we visited today. I didn't get many pictures of our adventure.

I dislike posting pictures of me, but I'm glad Jason got one of me and half of the kids. Like I said, I didn't get many pics. No kids-all-together, no me and Jason, no family, oh well... there's always tomorrow! :)

cutie Kate bug and her mischevious look

Isaac was amazed by the tractor during the hay ride.

Sweet sunshine Ella.

hahaha! Kate CANNOT get her left and right figured out.

strange bumpy pumpkins

Kate's new bike

2011-09-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Kate has wanted a bike for awhile now. Jonas and Ella ride their bikes a lot and Kate wasn't interested in riding a bike until halfway through the summer. So we started looking together at thrift stores and yard sales for a small bike with training wheels. I couldn't find [a cheap] one anywhere. Last week we went into a Goodwill on a Thursday. Did you know that at Goodwill on Thursdays children's clothes and toys are 50% off? So, we went on a Thursday and the employee that was outside the store collecting shopping carts was very friendly and asked Kate was she was shopping for today. She said, "we are buying me a bike with a basket on the front". I explained that we were looking everywhere we go for a small bike with training wheels. He said, "we just put on out on the floor that looks like it's just her size!" He led us to the location of the bikes at the back of the store and here was this BRAND NEW bike! It's from Target. Our Goodwill gets new/ old stuff from Target. This same bike is $79.99 at Target and at Goodwill it was selling for $25. Kate still had $25 from her birthday and we walked out with a shiny new bike and one very happy little girl. We also got a basket for a quarter and spray painted it and attached it to the front of the handlebars. Later that night Kate said to me, "Mommy, I'm so proud of you today!" Kate couldn't quit hugging me and kissing me and jumping up and down all day long. This was her way of expressing her joy and thankfulness to me.

a morning walk

2011-09-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

When beauty is displayed like this it begs to be studied. We stop and obey.

Ella's reward

2011-09-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Ella was the "good girl" in chapel today. That made us all happy.

Isaac's night-night

2011-09-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

Isaac loves his bed, his "night-night". He likes to sleep with a car in one hand and a "choo-choo" in the other hand. Isaac at 21 months enjoys nap time at 12:30 and usually sleeps for 2 hours. He wakes up around 2:30, although some days I have to wake him up at 2:50 to go pick up Jonas and Ella from school. The kids go to bed at 7:30 on school nights. Jonas gets to read for about an hour each night with a lamp beside his bed. He also listens to a CD. Isaac goes to sleep so quietly with big brother in the room. He doesn't mind the light or the music. It amazes me. The differences between the first born and the fourth are many. This little guy definitely knows how to roll with the punches and I'd like to say that I do as well (ok, better than I did with only one or two kids anyway!).

The first week {of school}

2011-09-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

Open House:

Ella was SO excited to find her desk, see her friends, and meet her teacher. We had to keep going back to the classroom about 4 times that night. She wanted to LIVE there over the weekend until school started on Monday. She also wanted me to take pictures of everything. Jonas, on the other hand, wasn't excited about me taking a picture of him. He played it cool. He did light up when he saw his friend Zachary and seemed to enjoy seeing his new classroom. Mrs. Macalas will be very good for him!

Ella with Miss Dekkers:

Jonas with Mrs. Macalas

First Day of School:

Homework on the first night: Ella's first-day-of-school summary/ report was very fun to fill out and Jonas' books needed to be covered. He surely has the most awesome book covers! :) This book of maps comes in handy for SO many projects here. It's pages are really thick and perfect for book covers.

The first week of school went really well. I thought Ella would be much more tired. She is doing well though. We are into a nice routine in the mornings and the little two have had so much mommy time. I'm enjoying them. We are very thankful that the kids got to go back to Fourth this year!

Thank you

2011-08-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

Emily has been a friend for many years. She takes beautiful pictures and has a big heart. Emily and I have many of the same interests and are close, not in age, but in the bond of Christ. She encourages me and models thoughtfulness, compassion, and generosity. Thank you, Emily, for capturing our family [as we are]. Thank you for squeezing in this photo shoot and all the hours of editing before heading back to school! We miss you already.

look-a-likes

2011-08-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

Em Marie Photography

I think these two look so much alike! Is it the eyes? The mouth? They definitely have different noses. The girls have the same little button nose and the boys have the same kind of nose. Neither Kate or Isaac were very happy in this picture, but i love the intense look I see in their eyes. It will be different to have just these little two at home with me this school year. They are going to learn to be friends! Yes, that's a command. "Being friends" comes naturally sometimes (referring to my girls), but other times it's a learned behavior, and these two have some learning to do! :)

1st and 3rd

2011-08-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

Our summer has flown by. Our summers as youth pastor always have. They go something like this: camp, missions trip, trip to visit grandparents, camp, squeeze in family camping, camp... so on and so forth... Jason has also taught a class at the Bible Institute here for the month of August for 3 hours at a time on Thursday nights. That's not something you just throw together. He creates the curriculum, syllabi, reads a billion books, and puts together some powerpoint presentations. He's a GOOD teacher. I can brag. This is MY blog. :) I love listening to him and he can make any topic interesting (even for 3 hours!).

With the close of summer is the beginning of school. Jonas is starting 3rd grade and Ella is going into 1st grade. I'm sad that school's starting. I enjoy the kids at home all summer. Jonas is a very good student. He's been reading books like White Fang, The Call of the Wild, Redwall, Hardy Boys, Robinson Crusoe, and way too much to list. Ella is, well, very friendly. I'm nervous about her going to first grade. That's real school and real work and all day every day. Ella is SO excited for school to start though. She can't wait to meet her new teacher and to be with her friends everyday. Jonas plays it cool. He's not very excited but he realizes that summer fun can't last all year long.

I'm thankful these two can attend our churchs' school. It's excellent. The facilities are wonderful and the teachers are even better. However, It just won't feel right to send these little 2 out the door on Monday morning and not see them again for 7 hours x 5 days a week. It will make me happy one day when we are all home together. In the mean time I'm comforted with the fact that they are friends and they are headed to school together.

pictures by Em Marie Photography

I'm reminded of this post at this time last year, and smile. This is God's will for them (and me) at this time and my attentions will be focused on the little two, starting Monday. There's a lot of work to be done and fun to be had there!

The Blog Book

2011-08-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a little story about me and blogging:

Although I've taken many breaks from this blog over the years, I've been pretty faithful to it since I started blogging in 2006 (patting myself on the back right now). I began blogging to simply connect with family and friends that were far away. I wanted the grandparents, especially, to be able to see what goes on at our house from day to day. It quickly developed into more of a journal and a place to record life. Once upon a time I thought I would scrapbook life, but that isn't practical. It hasn't happened. Once upon another time I thought I might do digital scrapbooking. That isn't practical (for me). It' hasn't happened. I don't even print pics to put into photo albums. I'm great at taking pics (thousands and thousands of them), but then I do nothing tangible with them. In light of all that and having the desire to scrapbook, journal, and organize pics into albums I searched for another option. I've seen advertisements for turning your blog into a book, but was a little leery of that. I just wasn't sure how it happens or if it was cost effective, or how it looked. So, we did a little test and now I'm here to blog about my blog book. I used Blog2Print. This company allows you to choose the color and design of the cover and then puts your blog into print. I chose to do the first year of my blog as a test. It is very small. It wasn't a whole year and I was just getting started. There aren't even titles to my posts and the pictures are small. I am very pleased with the book though. I'm anxious to print each year of my blog now! I'm going to whittle away at it slowly (using birthday and Christmas money) to print each year of The Stamper Story. Seeing my blog "published" in book form to hold and have on the bookshelf in our living room was such an encouraging thing for me. It has done much to focus my attempts and attention at memory making to ONE thing, this blog. It has liberated me from piles of paper and embellishments and all the stuff from my scrapbooking days. It has focused my intention on what and when to blog also. From now on I won't be stuck in the following thought pattern: To blog or not to blog. To post or not to post. My house isn't clean, that room isn't "finished", I don't know how to word what I want to say, I'm not a writer, this isn't a funny story, nothing truly interesting is going on... I will simply record life as it happens and as I hope to remember it. This might become incredibly boring at times, but I'm thankful for a renewed desire to keep blogging/ journaling. Some days I might just post pictures. Sometimes, just words. I will try not to care who is or is not reading and how they may perceive me. I'm very thankful for those of you who keep up with the Stampers via bloggy world though. As God moves us to another country in the [near] future it will be so good to have this spot to communicate life to you. I've taken a few pics of the book and will share them here. If you have any questions, I'll answer them in the comments.

There is a picture on the front and back cover. I chose the option of using pics from my first post as the cover. In the future I'd choose something different.

front:

back:

table of contents:

last page:

~The End~

Blogwriter lite

2011-08-13T21:22:00.001-07:00

This is a test.

Camp Clearwater 2011: snapshot of the week

2011-08-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

08.03.02

2011-08-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

By God's design, nine years ago I married my friend. We made promises to each other that we intended to keep for life. By God's grace we are committed to being faithful to each other. No matter what sin may snare us. No matter what circumstances may overtake us. No matter what. We choose to love each other and meet each others needs selflessly. As God willed I watched my husband suffer and come close to death. I'm thankful each day for the gift of life. By faith we will continue on this journey together.

At our wedding we signed this covenant of marriage before God and many witnesses:

As we marry, I commit to pursue this relationship in word, deed, and thought for the rest of my life. In order to fulfill this promise, I give myself over to knowing God and His Word. By growing in Christ, I will grow as your mate. By learning of His love, I will learn to be more loving.

I commit to better myself as your life's partner. I will not be content to love you as I presently do. My love will grow as we mature. I want to align my love with the Biblical definition. I will especially dwell on replacing selfishness with selflessness and doubt with trust. I will never stop in my effort to communicate with you. I will not allow any excuses to block our communication. I will improve my communication skills so that you might better understand me. I will spend my life studying you so that I might better understand you. I will deal with any specific communication flaws as soon as I am made aware of them. As much as I will labor to communicate with you, I will do so with God so that I might better love you.

I commit to be patient and longsuffering in my relationship to you. By love, I will not allow anything to inhibit my relationship with you that God allows. I will correct faults only as they benefit your Christian walk. I will forgive immediately and absolutely. I will always give you the benefit of the doubt concerning anything that might hurt me. I will trust your judgement and love.

I will seek to show my love for you in old ways that you desire and new ways that are creative. I will never put you in a place where you are doubting my love. I will express it verbally and non-verbally for the rest of our lives. I will love you alone. No one else will interfere with our relationship just as we will not interfere our relationships with Christ. I will commit to Christ, then you. There is no greater way to love you.

I promise to intertwine you in my life. We will forever become one. I will leave everything open in myself so that you may become part of it. I will share all with you and will always be there for you to share with me. I will forever participate in your life. I will always seek to meet your needs. I will forever love you.

(written by Jason for us)

Home: rest

2011-08-01T20:47:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken back in January. I took them to show my mom a few things and to get her ideas about some things. I never did send them or do anything with them (No surprise there. I take hundreds of pics with intent to blog and never do anything with them). Right now I'm trying to clean up my hard drive of the over 26,000 pics and so I'm looking back through a lot of old ones and I'll be posting some old stuff. Our room is dressed for summer right now and doesn't look like this, but I thought I'd post them anyway. In fact my furniture usually is rotating around the house and I'm noticing some things that are in different rooms now. I want our room to be a place of rest. It is our getaway. We value time alone together each evening and our room is a sanctuary for us. Of course I stash laundry baskets and stuff in here when I'm cleaning fast and furiously because people are coming over. It is rarely clean. It is never clutter free or electronics free (therefore never dust free!), but it's ours. It's what we've got. It is so easy for me to be discontent while looking at blogs. My "I want" and "I deserve" and "poor me" rare their ugly heads OFTEN! However, the Lord has graciously grown me in this area over the past few years. I don't spend money on home decor (ok, occasionally I use my birthday money for this!). I use what I have. I Tim 6:7 says, "for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out". The beauty I desire my home to have is something that isn't tangible. It's a feeling of complete comfort and a joy that cannot be expressed in pictures, but only in time spent here. So, I'm reluctant to post pictures, but here is my place of rest. At the end of the day this is where I'm happy.

I included the following picture because I never did "reveal" my Christmas gift from last year. In this post I mentioned that there's something I've wanted for 15 years and finally got it! Yep, it's amazing. and Yep, it lives in our room. We are wall-to-wall STUFF here.

I love this bit of clean white space. I think it's the only little bit of space in this house that's white, and clean.

None of this is here anymore. In fact I actually sold the glass hurricanes at our yard sale. It was fun for a week or so, but I've got to put on my missionary mindset and let some STUFF go.

Well, mom, this is a little late, but there ya go! Thanks for the "J" and "B".

Prayer Request

2011-07-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Edit: You can follow Mr. Zimmerman's progress and pray specifically through his CaringBridge site.

Mark and Anne and Anne's family are in need of the peace that only knowing God can give. Please pray for Anne's dad, Dave Zimmerman. He was rushed to the hospital from work this morning and is in critical condition. The information I have is through broken text second hand:

"Dave had a defective valve, which led to a defective artery, which led to a stroke on the left side of his body. Mark and Anne are headed there now."

"Mr. Z had a bad stroke. We met with surgeon. Surgery is not an option right now. The next 24-72 hours are critical to see what direction things go."

"It's grave, tough decisions at this point. The dr's are at odds at what to do... death is the highest o ption... but we have one major major surgery that he would have a 10% chance of surviving. my mom (mrs. z) is feasting on truth, but has to make a tough call."

In an instant life can change. I experienced change last January 2010 when Jason underwent 5 surgeries in a weeks time and battled with death. Although the infection that racked his body was certainly unexpected and sudden it was indeed a foreseen part of God's plan for our lives. I cannot put into words all that God has done in my heart and life as a result of the trail He allowed us to go through, but I know that the communion of my soul with the Savior has forever been altered. Prayer is often the outcry of a heart that is hurting. It's natural to look upward when life is tough. I've been extremely rebuked this year as I think back to the 24 day hospital stay that we endured and recall the almost 24 hour state of prayer I was in everyday that it's not my natural response to pray my way through life (the ups AND downs).

Please join me in praying for the Zimmerman family. They are hurting and trying to process sudden change and as they are being stripped of energy and are at the height of human emotion there are hard decisions to make. Please pray that as they strain to process medical information that the God of all comfort will sustain them.

On a small and practical note pray for Anne as she is 30+ weeks pregnant with baby boy #4 and has 3 other little guys to mother that she and Mark will both be a strength and blessing to her mom and others and as they are hurting and helping that God will go with them and before them.

Because I can't decide...

2011-07-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

what to title this post, I'll list a few different ones:

I'm a first-timer

I can't be this old!

Milestones

J-O-N-A-S x 200

Yes, I'm that mom

So, do I have your attention? smile. Tomorrow my [almost 8 year old] baby boy is going to camp for the first time. Our church is going to send kids entering 3-6 to Camp Chetek this year. This is the first year since 1960 that Fourth has sent kids to another camp. Jason will be taking close to 30 kids to camp Chetek for the week (Monday through Saturday). I have spent the day with my Sharpie marker labeling Jonas' clothes, socks, underwear, everything! I've become that mom that I both loved and made fun of when I was a camp counselor. It was awesome when there were random articles of clothing laying around that had a kids name printed on them so we could identify the owner. It was also funny to see all the printed names inside of kids belongings. I especially loved one campers mom. She had each outfit (shirt, shorts, socks, underwear) in a separate gallon zip lock back and it was labeled with the day of the week. Not only was there a separate bag for each outfit, there was one for swimwear, extra socks, extra undies, hair stuff, and more. It was pretty amazing. And then there were the really sad kids that had obviously packed for themselves. Nothing was labeled and they didn't have anything they needed and too much of what they didn't need. So, I spent the day labeling and organizing and packing Jonas for camp. It is exciting, but I'm scared! How did I become this old? Can I really have a kid headed off to camp? Who will put Jonas' sunscreen on? Who will help him decide what is the best choice to make at the candy shop? Who will tell him he's had TOO much candy? Who will help him find Haggai in his Bible? Who will get his bedtime drink? Will the boys make fun of his Batman lego underwear? Will he change his underwear?! and my mind goes on and on. Do I sound crazy? overprotective? exaggerative? Well, I'm a mom. I love this kid. I suppose each new stage will bring new fears for me and new ways for me to give Jonas to God and to trust that He loves Him more and knows all of my unknowns.

outtakes

2011-07-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

There's a progression here. I'm sure you moms know it well. If you don't get a good shot right away, it's hard to capture everyone looking "perfect". However, some of the "perfect" looking pics don't communicate personality! So, I say perfect shmerfect. Let's have fun!

This is the only one we could get with Ian

and then he was done.

I think we're getting tired of this (it's only been about 60 seconds). Isaac decides he can leave.

Jonas doesn't care for the everyone-pile-on-Jonas pose

It's time for aunt Amy to get involved

Isaac likes it. Poor Jonas, we're almost done!

The big kids were glad to move to a new spot, but it took some convincing to get Isaac there.

silliness

hopeless, at least they are having fun!

Isaac is saying "all done"

Jonas, don't strangle your sister. Give Isaac a toy to make him stay.

We are SO done here!

a favorite of the day to end with:

July 4, 2011

2011-07-04T21:28:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to a fireworks show. We RARELY let our kids stay up late and we were pretty sure that our fun family adventure would backfire on us today. Isaac didn't sleep well and woke up early. How do babies wake up so early when they go to bed late? I'll never understand, but I know it has never worked for us. Anyway, we had a really lazy day here at home. It was peaceful and relaxing. At SIX THIRTY when Isaac was wide awake for the day (this was after 30 minutes of mad intense crying and even correction for the little guy) when he became "happy" and thankfully hadn't woken everyone else up (I don't know how they sleep through him!) Isaac and I read our morning books together and then made this. It was amazing. I LOVE the butter. I don't buy unsalted butter, but did for this and it is divine. I even made the french toast with only egg yolks and with lemon zest. Yep, breakfast was a big hit- complete with "kid coffee" and cantaloupe- around 8:30 when everyone else was up and ready for the day. The rest of the day was spent cleaning and organizing the garage (we have our annual yard sale coming up this weekend), staining fence sections (behind the kids in the pic), mowing, playing in the pool and riding bikes. We had several friends over for dinner- the best kind, the kind you don't have to clean house for! hi, Chuck ;) We had BLT's (thx to Jason for doing LOTS of bacon on the grill so our house wouldn't get all hot and greasy) and corn on the cob and watermelon and a yummy dessert that the kids enjoyed making with me. It was basically a big cookie in the shape of a flag decorated with blue frosting and blueberries, red frosting and strawberries, and white stripes of cool whip. Of course we had more cool whip and piles of blueberries and strawberries on the side. Jason and I are probably going to be wide awake for quite awhile still. It's 11:30 and the fireworks around our neighborhood are still going loud and strong. I took a lot of pictures tonight to get the one above. It's not perfect and the outtakes are probably my favorites. I'll try to post more of those tomorrow.

p.s. Ella helped me cut out and sew the garland that is pictured. We made 2 of them. I am getting so much joy out of crafting with her recently. I feel like I've been waiting forever for my little girl to sew with me and now I'm enjoying it! I have fond memories of doing the same thing with my mom. I'll post pics to my other blog as well.

Ian faces

2011-06-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

I need to do a whole post about the faces that Ian (14 months) makes. He's a funny little guy right now and we laugh all day long at these two.

11.11.11

2011-06-30T05:02:00.000-07:00

My sister, Amy, is pregnant and has the coolest due date: 11.11.11 Her doctor says that the hospitals are already filling up with C-sections scheduling on that day. We are excited to meet the new little one in God's perfect timing though. This Stamper house is filling up! The more the merrier.

20 weeks

Father's Day and a trip

2011-06-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

I got to spend father's day with my dad! Isn't he handsome? My dad is a strong guy and a hard worker. He hasn't slowed down at all. In fact, after putting in a long hard day of work in the hot sun, he drove 10 hours through the night to be with us. I've learned so much from this guy. Much of it is practical, a lot is character building and much more is spiritual. My view of God is big, thanks to my dad. It was a blessing to be able to say "happy Father's day" in person to him this year.

Jason took a small group from our church on a missions trip to France. They were a blessing to 2 missionary families that our church supports. They were gone for 12 days. We sure did miss our time away from Jason. I took a trip to Quincy, IL (an 8 hour drive) during the time he was away. We stayed at my grandparents house and my mom and dad drove up from Tennessee and met us there. It was such a wonderful time with my family. It was good to see my kids exploring every inch of my grandpa's property and playing much the same way I did as a child there. It was relaxing to get away. I enjoyed spending time with the kids away from the distractions of home. I was more focused on them. It was good to catch up with many extended family that I haven't seen in several years.

Mom and I enjoyed every minute together doing special things and everyday mundane little things. I love that we can enjoy doing dishes together, folding clothes together, and watching Food Network together just as much as any spectacular event we could have planned. That's a true friend. There are no pretenses in our relationship and I value that.

This little cutie just cracks me up. I love every little thing about him even though he had an ear infection, a nasty cough, some issues with not wanting ANYONE else but me, and some major SIN he's manifesting. I'm trying to treasure each phase and even though mothering has some down right frustrating moments, remember that they are each gifts from my loving Father.

Kate's inch worm

2011-06-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

Isaac at 17 1/2 months

2011-06-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

This little guy is in love with my iphone. Who isn't? He specifically asks for Toy Story 3, the game of Cat in the Hat, Baby Piano LITE, and Talking Gina. How did people parent before technology? :)

Birthday gifts

2011-06-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are a few of my special birthday gifts. Amy bought me this locket bracelet. It has 5 lockets and she had already put Jason in the first followed by each of the kids. It's a very sweet and thoughtful gift. I'll cherish it forever. The pillow was made by a special friend of mine, Emily. Thanks, Em, I love it! She also made some cards for me. I wish I could show a picture of each one. She's got a cool clean style. I so appreciate the time that went into this gray linen pillow and the set of cards.

32

2011-06-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

I'm breaking my bloggy silence to wish myself a Happy Birthday. Am I allowed to say that? I think, yes. It was a lovely day. Isaac greeted me this morning with his runny nose, stinky diaper and smiles. Jonas sang every version of happy birthday to me that included me looking like a monkey and smelling like one too, something about Scooby Doo and another one about a snake eating my cake. Ella carefully wrapped every drawing she's been working on for 3 days and cut out lots of paper hearts and wrapped up coins from her bank. Kate let me share my birthday with all of her stuffed animal friends. That was a special privilege, I suppose. She was very sweet and kept hugging me and saying how much she loves me today on my birthday. Amy had coffee ready for me this morning and a special special thoughtful sweet gift from Anthropology. I'll have to post pics of my new locket charm bracelet. I had lunch with my birthday twin. My friend, Lindsay, and I share the exact same birthday. How special is that? We try to get together every year and share a birthday freebie. This year we went to Caribou and had drinks and doughnuts from a pastry place that people here rave about. It was more of a sugar rush than a lunch, but it's our birthday! We can do that! I spent the afternoon with my beautiful children shopping for a small pool and enjoying my free drink from Dun Bros coffee. We all shared a large smoothie. It was a special treat and very fun. I'm so thankful that school is out and we are all home together everyday. Today it was 102 degrees. It was stifling hot. It hasn't been this hot in Minnesota in 23 years. So, the weather breaking temps were just for my birthday. Isn't that nice? I actually enjoyed the weather today. We spend months and months complaining about how cold it is here and I was reminding today that we got what we wished for all winter. Our little window ac unit just can't keep up though. After running full strength all day long at 11 tonight our house has finally cooled down to 80. The bedrooms are hotter. I'm hoping the kids sleep well tonight. They have all had colds, coughs, and fevers off and on for several days now. I'm thankful for the special day the Lord allowed me to have with friends and my family. Each day is a gift and every year I realize that even more.

the sky tonight

2011-05-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Ps 19:1

The twin cities experienced severe weather tonight. There were tornado warnings with large hail producing storms to the south of our city and to the northwest as well. We've been kind of sandwiched in the middle of 2 very strong systems. The sky was beautiful tonight. For quite awhile there was almost a neon green haze everywhere and then beautiful cloud formations illuminated by the setting sun beyond them. I could never capture the feel of the awesome display of God's glory in nature and these photos do not do it justice, but it was surely awe-inspiring.

(these pics are unedited)

this one's for you, great-grandma Stamper

2011-04-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

This is a tricycle that great grandma Stamper has always had at her house and all of the grandkids have ridden on. The last time Jason made a trip out to Oregon (by car) grandma Donna sent this bike home with him for the kids. Kate is attached to it and always refers to it as "daddy's bike". It's really cute. Thank you, grandma Donna.

Thank you, grandma and grandpa Stamper!

2011-04-25T21:48:00.000-07:00

We loved the Easter package from you two!

Easter

2011-04-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

These pictures are so funny. I have a whole slew of pictures, but these are fun. I was trying to get a good pic of all four, but that just doesn't happen! Isaac is so busy. BUSY. BUSY!! I could barely get him to stand by the other 3, but he would not turn around for anything.

It was snowing here last week and then cold and rainy. We are so thankful for the beautiful weather that we enjoyed today.

a day to remember

2011-04-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

There are some days that I remember more vividly than others. I remember the day that each of my kids were born. The unexplainable joy and awe that I experienced with each birth is forever mine to recall. The hours of anticipation, laboring, and holding afterward enhance the memory of those days. I also remember the Wednesday of the first week that Jason was in the hospital. It was the darkest. That was the day that I thought God had given me too much. Of course He hadn't. Each person I saw and conversations I had (both medical and spiritual) are locked in my mind as part of my sanctification process was unfolding that day. Many days are blips and blurs in the space of time that my life occupies, but today was one of those days that I think will stand out among others.

Today is one of those special days that I know I'll always remember. We believe that today Ella came to faith in Christ. We have had ongoing conversations with her about salvation for probably 2 years. Although Ella loves to talk about God she hasn't really seemed to understand. Last week Ella and I had a long talk about the Gospel and placing our trust in Christ's work. I thought she understood and she seemed to be personalizing it more than in the past. I closed our conversation then by saying that we would keep talking about this and she could talk to me or daddy whenever she wanted to. So, today Ella said to me, "mommy, I just prayed to God to be a Christian". I grabbed Jason from the other room and we spent some time with her. We made sure she understood that it wasn't about the words of a prayer. We had a sweet time with her. Simple child-like faith is beautiful.

Ella was born on a Saturday 6 years ago (March 26). Her birth was announced to our church family on Easter Sunday. I thought that was pretty special. As I celebrate the resurrection of Christ tomorrow I'm rejoicing that the One who conquered death has called my child to an intimate relationship with Himself.

Thank you to grandma and grandpa Stamper

2011-04-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

let's celebrate...

2011-03-09T19:46:00.000-08:00

Kate is 4!

happy heart day

2011-02-13T21:15:00.000-08:00

making valentines for J and E's classmates:

making heart garland with the top half of the cellophane bags (They were too long so we had to cut them off and I couldn't throw away the extra!):

making heart cookies for the K5 class at school:

meditating on what it means to have a happy heart as a child of God:

He loves to read

2011-02-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

Jonas is a reader. I am not a reader. I think books are pretty, but I sadly do not get very far with many of them. I could blame it on the stage of life that I'm in, but I don't think that's going to work. I get frustrated that I can't seem to communicate my thoughts through writing and I'm sure that my lack of reading contributes to that. Jason reads literally hundreds of books to every one that I read. I'm very thankful that Jonas seems to be following his daddy's example. Lately he has started reading the Bible on his own. He has the ESV on his i pod and tonight he was reading the first 8 chapters in Genesis before falling asleep. He's so cute and so grown up.

This picture is Jonas reading Redwall in the Target shopping cart. When we go to the pool at our community center I have to make him swim. He usually just wants to sit on the side and read. What a nerd. :)

snack time

2011-02-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

with the little two

Kate is such a ham. I hardly ever get a "normal" face from her when the camera is out. I guess this IS "normal"!

bed head

2011-02-07T21:17:00.000-08:00

I had to take these pics after Isaac's nap the other day. He was in the middle of a good sound sleep when I had to wake him up in order to get to school on time to pick up Jonas and Ella. He wasn't too happy with me.

help please

2011-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

Why can't I upload any pics to blogger???? I keep getting a message that says I've used all of my 1 GB quota of space for photos. WHAT? Has anyone else come across this? What do I do?

Yep, it's true! Blogger allows you only so much space for "free" and then charges for exceeding that space. I can't believe it. I just purchased 20 GB of space for $5 for a year. I think that will be enough for me for the year since it's taken me 4 years to only use 1 GB!

me and little buddy

2011-01-27T21:35:00.000-08:00

... sippin' our coffee on a cold day

don't worry. he's not really drinking coffee. yet. ;)

happy Birthday: grandpa B

2011-01-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

snow fun

2011-01-24T21:53:00.000-08:00

MIA

2011-01-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

I've been MIA in bloggy world for awhile. The "real" life has been full, as usual. I'm not very good at journaling, scrapbooking, documenting, and preserving memories. I do take thousands of pictures that sit in digital form for "someday". I'm going to get caught up here on my blog.

This past month we have done the following:

--celebrated Christmas with Jason's parents (They were here for 10 days! It was great and went too fast. They taught us a new card game, 3/13, that we played a lot in the evenings and shared many many laughs)
--Jason and I have shared many conversations recalling God's goodness to us over this year.
--Jonas lost another tooth (I think that's 7 now. His front teeth that are coming in are huge. He has Brumbaugh teeth! They take up the space where there were once 4 baby teeth. I'm not sure how they'll all fit in there. He's going to look so different! He doesn't get much money from the tooth fairy, but he enjoys losing teeth because it's a way for him to make money. He's a saver!)
--Ella has had a few deep conversations with mommy and daddy about salvation. She is coming to an understanding of the gospel. It's beautiful.
--Kate continues to mother the babies (Isaac and Ian) everyday and loves helping
--Isaac is walking and running and falling on his face often (He chipped his front tooth. His mind goes faster than his little feet)
--Continue with our college class Bible study on Thursday nights. It has been really good and I love being "forced" to clean on Thursdays!
--I was in charge of decorating for our pastor's wife's baby shower. I had so much fun sewing and crafting with my helper friends for this event. You can see pics here.
--Jason got a new phone so I have acquired his "old" i phone. I've been adding contacts and learning apps in my free time. Toy Story 3 has kept the kids entertained during several dr appt's now.
--Winter Weekend for our teens out at camp was this past weekend. It was a really great time. We've had so much snow this winter and it's not going anywhere. It keeps snowing and keeps piling up. It's pretty thick now and that made for a fun weekend of tubing. We were thankful that the weather wasn't 0 like it is today.
--Jason is going to teach a TCBI class for the month of February. I'm excited that I get to take the class! (thanks to M & A who are watching the kids!) He's my favorite teacher. Who wants to join me?
--decorated and undecorated for Christmas and de-cluttered (still need to do more) and in the process of organizing every room. (I think we should set up a certain day where we all post organizing ideas/ helps/tips for each other to benefit from. Who wants to join? Leave me a comment if you're liking this idea)
--Jason and I have booked our first get-away-alone vacation! (We think we deserve it)
--Congratulated my little brother, Justin, who just graduated from Police Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We're so proud!
--FREEZE every time we venture out of doors. We are all turning pasty white here and are getting cabin fever. big time.

And here's a question to leave you with. Do your kids play like this?

One year ago today...

2011-01-10T16:18:00.001-08:00

One year ago today

…was no surprise to God. It was forever on His mind.

Thank you, Father, for knowing me before the foundation of the world. Thank you for orchestrating all the events of my life to bring glory to you.

One year ago today

…God used the wisdom of man. Thank you, God, for bringing the Stuckey’s into our lives, for Dr. Stuckey’s selflessness, and for leading Him by your Spirit to make a house call on his day off.

One year ago today

…The best surgeon in the Twin Cities for Jason’s condition was on call at North Memorial. Thank you, God, that you are and continue to be in control of every detail.

One year ago today

…I heard that my husband should be dead. Thank you, Father, for the healing you have brought!

One year ago today

…God sent me on a journey that would strip me of any dependence on myself or my husband or anyone else. Thank you that in you I find strength and confidence and grace to go through any trial.

One year ago today

…God started to move on Christians everywhere to bear us up in so many tangible ways and to bring us before the throne of the Almighty. The outpouring of generosity from so many believers was overwhelming to us. Thank you ,God, for using your people. Thank you for blessing us abundantly.

One year ago today

…I was completely exhausted from a newborn and from caring for my husband for a week. The exhaustion from the first 3 days in the hospital only multiplied. Thank you, God, for keeping me healthy, thinking, and functioning. You are my all in all.

One year ago today

…I did not know that today would ever come. I was reassured as I waited on doctors to consult with me after the surgeries of that first week that God was good, He was with me, and whatever the outcome was, God would be glorified. That was enough. It’s the only thing I knew was certain and that alone carried me through. The bleakest day was Wednesday. After surgery, the doctor told me things were not good. The infection was spreading, and they weren’t sure if they could stop it. As my world was caving in on every side and I was feeling so alone, I called my parents to tell them the news. My fingers could dial, but the words would not come out. It took quite awhile to relay the facts, and then all I could do was thank them for teaching me from birth that God is good. God is big. God is everywhere. God cares. God listens. God knows. Those thoughts were taking over now during this trial. The faith that God Himself began in me long ago and has produced over the years is manifested in tough times. I know that tomorrow may never come. Life is a vapor. How does that change my day?

One year ago today

… I was rebuked that it’s not my natural response everyday to run to God and claim His help for everything, no matter how small. We are completely humbled that God chose to work in us. We are instruments. We are clay. He is not done. Praise His name.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T19:39:00.000-08:00

"All I want for Christmas"

2010-12-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

I know it's strange, but I posted 2 videos that are essentially the same. I've had such a hard time uploading videos here. Our camera records in HD so the file is usually too big to post, I guess- something like that. So, I've recorded Jonas several different times trying to reduce the size of the file and then I had a hard time deciding which one to pick. So, if you're not one of the grandmas, then I'm sure you don't care! It has been fun having a kid with no teeth in time for Christmas.

and now for some silly shots:

'tis the season

2010-12-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

... for never having time to blog (you really should see all of the wonderful blog posts that are in my head daily!)

... for way too much hustle and bustle

... for baking and eating and giving

... for suspense building and secret keeping

... for Christmas programs

... for trips to the Post Office (LOVE the automated machine for packages that never has a line)

... for homemade cards and wrapping paper and gifts

... for advent chains and books (thank you, Erin) and tags

... for running to and from stores and forgetting things and going back for the fourth time in a week even though you thought you had planned so diligently throughout the year

... for finding out about a gift you should give at an event an hour before you go (hmmm... should plan better next year)

... for buying a gift card on the way to a party and writing in a card at a stop light on the way

... for an accidental family picture that we like without the hassle of a planned photo shoot (YEAH!)

... for never remembering to water our tree

... for "no touch" training sessions with a one year old

... for hearing the one year old say "ights" in awe everytime he sees the beautiful lights of Christmas

... for snuggles and giggles and loves

... for a break from school

... for grandparents visiting from Portland, Oregon

... for getting to go to the totally snowy and crazy outdoor Vikings game Monday night- unforgettable!

... for getting a something special that you've wanted for a least 15 years (I'll save the surprise for later!)

... for SNOW. It's winter wonderland here in Minnesota. The funny thing about all the snow we get here is that it won't go away for months and months. It just keeps coming this year and it's piling up. These pics were taken a few weeks ago. There's at least 4 more inches now. It's hard to get perspective on the snow when you see it like this first picture, but the third one shows how deep it is. I really need to put the kids in it to show how deep it is.

my littlest is one

2010-12-11T21:34:00.000-08:00

What a full year this has been for us. Full of God's goodness and His abounding grace. Full of firsts for little Isaac and full of love for the ones God has given us to parent. Happy first birthday precious son.

double trouble

2010-12-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

Home: giving thanks

2010-11-24T20:49:00.000-08:00

If I had a quarter for every time I SAID, "say thank you" I'd be wearing jewels and dining on bacon (tee hee). How many times do I SHOW thanks giving? Thanksgiving should be more than a holiday. It should be a way of life. This month we have practiced thankfulness around here with the "thankfulness tree". Each evening after dinner we each write on a leaf what we're thanking God for and add it to the tree. My kids have really enjoyed this and I've noticed an overall attitude of gratefulness in the past few weeks that was almost nonexistent before. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. Hopefully this one will stick. Happy Thanksgiving!

See here for another giving thanks practice that's fun for the kids (and adults)!

capturing first steps

2010-11-23T20:22:00.000-08:00

Jonas walked at 14 months. Ella walked at 13 months. Kate walked at 12 months. It looks like Isaac will walk at 11 months. Isaac is so skinny. He can't keep his pants up half the time! This video is just a step, but now he's getting braver and taking 5 and 6 steps at a time. I don't want my baby to be up and walking! It's so hard to fathom having no more babies crawling around. I don't know if I'm ready for this. On the other hand I'm so thankful today that he's healthy. Praise the Lord!

Home: the old chair

2010-11-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

I have had this chair for close to 15 years. My dad owns some rental properties and this beauty was left behind by one of the occupants. He was going to haul it to the dump and I rescued it! It sat in my bedroom in high school and through college and has now moved 5 times with us. I almost got rid of it this summer. It sat in our garage for months, but I just couldn't part with it. We just do not have room for it. So, now it has found it's way back into the house and is squeezed into our bedroom. I'd love to know the story behind it. I want to know when it was made where it came from and who first purchased it and who have it's owners been and where it has gone. This old chair is very much a part of our home.

the little two

2010-11-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for time alone with these two little ones on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. These are intense training days/ years and I'm thankful to have the time with just them. Kate loves to have extra cuddles and book reading on those days when I'm not constantly pulled in so many directions. She is so good with her baby brother and a really big help to me. Isaac is at a whole new level since he's nearly walking. It's amazing that I forget how much a baby can get into! With each new child there are new "no touches" and new obstacles to figure out because of the different stages of life. Isaac is also my climber. I've never had one. I've never "allowed" one. I thought I'd never deal with this, but apparently God is working on my pride in the parenting department - again. Isaac is still a bundle of energy and he's not slowing down. I know it's nap time when he pauses for that brief moment and gently lays his head on my shoulder. His eyes get heavy and he relaxes. It doesn't last long! He kicks his little feet and jerks his head back up so quickly and flashes me his big award winning (in my book!) smile that is commented on by so many people and he fights sleep to the death! Sleep wins. And if it doesn't, mommy at least does.

Home: resourcefulness

2010-11-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

Able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.

I like the above definition of resourcefulness. What are my "difficult situations"? They may be time, money, or space. I probably will think of more later. :)

As I go through Ella and Jonas' shoes and clothes to change with the seasons or to see what I can save for the next 2 kids I often find myself saying, "how would my mom fix and save these broken or stained things?" And so the picture above represents time put into being resourceful. I often super-glue shoes that are falling apart (the clothes pins are holding the shoes in the drying process), mend holes in clothing, and cover stains with patches or cute flowers. My mom would be proud! She's one of the most resourceful people I know.

Resourcefulness is how I can save money. It's my "job" and it takes time. Time that I feel I need to make. I have found that by saying "no" to some good things that vie for my time and attention and money and STAYING at home more I can make time to be resourceful thus saving money. Please share in the comments below any ideas or stories that you may have for resourcefulness.

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Here's a funny little story about Jonas being resourceful. He came to me one day (back when he was only 4 years old) and wanted to show me his latest creation. It was a guitar. I was impressed with the acorns taped to the neck of the guitar and the stretchy elastic string that he had taped from one end to the other. He picked the little string and showed me how it made music. I was impressed and asked him where he got that stretchy string and how he thought of putting it there? Jonas replied, "I found it in my underwear!" This kid cracks me up! He noticed a little string and kept pulling and found out it was stretchy like a rubber band and couldn't throw such a useful thing away! He decided it would be a good guitar string. How resourceful!

Home: bring'n home the bacon

2010-11-17T20:03:00.000-08:00

literally...
Trying new things has always been a part of what "home" is to me. Jason cured his own bacon!!! He's been reading about how to do it and just had to try it. It was so awesome. He bought the pork belly from a butcher and created a rub with fresh herbs and special salts. The process took about 10 days. I must say that this bacon endeavor was a huge success and we will be repeating. frequently. :)

YUM... blt's, omlets, salads w fresh bacon, sandwiches, soup toppings, and more.

My parents always told us when we wanted to make something that "you can do whatever you want to do as long as you clean up the mess!" And then they supplied us with EVERYTHING- scraps of lumber and other building materials and tools (my dad is a general contractor), fabric, paint, and all things crafty (my mom was Martha Stewart BEFORE there was an Everyday Living empire) and free reign of the kitchen. There were many many crazy concoctions in the kitchen, lots of ugly paintings hanging around our home, little wobbly stools and tables and boxes constructed with wood and nails and clothes sewn in funny misshapen ways but there were also priceless lessons taught about ingenuity, creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination. We never left a store without hearing from my mom, "we could make that!" I think I could go on and on and on with examples and stories about growing up with this mentality. I won't do that here, but I want to pass it on to my children. Please share ways that you try new things in your home. I'd LOVE to hear!

Home: "mommy, can I help?"

2010-11-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else out there good about letting your little ones "help" in the kitchen? It's usually a little frustrating and makes the job take much longer, but I never regret it! I say "no" far too often, but making the mess and taking the time is worth the memories made and the lessons taught while cooking with my little helpers.

flowers from my boy

2010-11-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

This is how Jonas brought me flowers a few days ago! How cute is he? :) On a side note, I'm SO thankful that we still had a few dandelions growing in the back yard. Too soon they'll be covered in snow.

Home: laundry

2010-11-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

never-ending mountains of laundry...

(this is the mountain in the basement that forms underneath of our laundry shoot)

Home: freshly bathed babies

2010-11-11T21:46:00.000-08:00

is there anything more delicious?

Jonas on government

2010-11-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Jonas recently overheard Jason talking about government. Without saying a word to us he went to his room and got out some paper and wrote this. He quietly brought it back to us and showed us what he had gotten out of the conversation: "bad government is too bossy; good government isn't too bossy" I had to take a picture because it is a unique visual reminder to me that we are teaching, ALWAYS teaching. What am I teaching my children today? Am I giving them an accurate picture of Christ? Am I teaching above all else to love Him supremely?

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

By the way, GO VOTE! :)

Home: family

2010-11-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

Home is anywhere WE are. It could be a cardboard box although that would be difficult and require a little ingenuity! I can't imagine home without any of these people (although in January of this year I thought I might have to). God has given me a wonderful husband and 4 beautiful children who I adore. I'm thankful for them everyday. I'm thankful we can be ourselves- the good, the bad, and the ugly- and we still love us!

Thank you, God for family!

Welcome

2010-10-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

home...

There is no place more delightful than one's own fireside. ~Cicero

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. ~Jane Austen

Home is a complex word that means many things. My home is people, much like a church is it's people. We, the Stamper people, associate home with this building we are living in right now, and over this coming month I'm going to explore what exactly that home is to us. I hope to capture some of the ways we feel the word home (with pictures) and to express (with words) gratitude to our Lord for the institution of family and simultaneously the home that we enjoy.

out my window (s)

2010-10-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

albino squirrel

2010-10-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Jason called the kids to the front window this morning because there was an albino squirrel in our front yard. I had to grab my camera. I enjoyed watching them watch the rare sight. Here they are all lined up. Isaac is down there somewhere. That's his hand on the right.

I realized after the squirrel was gone that little Isaac wasn't seeing a thing! Look how cute he is staring at the window mold and the blue sky. Too soon he'll be tall enough to see right out that window.

count your blessings...

2010-10-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

name them one by one.

Thank you, Father for choosing to use me to mother these precious children. Give me wisdom daily as I seek to teach and train them for your glory. Help me to never be bothered, irritated, and frustrated by them or to view them as interruptions. I want to rejoice in the privilege I have to spend and be spent for them as long as you allow.

how do boys read?

2010-10-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

My boy loves to read. He could (and somedays he does) read for hours a day. For instance today during nap time he read from start to finish this Dr. Doolittle book we found at the Target $1 spot. Although he enjoys reading he is still ALL boy. I thought this video was funny and showed that fact.

my home

2010-10-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

After a long night of bad sleep (Jason being uncomfortable and baby waking several times) I need to counsel myself:

God created me.
God created me and all things for His glory.
My life is a vapor (a blip in eternity).
After this life is over I will spend eternity in heaven.
God is preparing a place for me to praise and know Him forever.

Jason has such a heavenly and worshipful perspective on the "suffering" that he's endured for all of 2010. That's not to say that every now and then he doesn't wish for his old normal self back. Next Sunday night Jason will preach on heaven at our church. I'm anxious to hear him. Perhaps God has allowed this physical pain for us to long for heaven more. I want to spend my days meditating on the glories God has in store for us. Hoping in Him will motivate right living and right thinking today. I am starting to do a book study with a friend out of this book:

Jason is in the process of reading this book:

In what ways do you meditate on heaven, our home? Why is it that it takes physical suffering, pain, and death to focus our perspective on eternity? We are pilgrims on a journey and I'm afraid we are easily distracted and take many detours because we are looking down instead of up and straight ahead to see our destination.

I just can't help it...

2010-10-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Today I was at the pool with the kids. There was a very chubby boy there. He turned around and had some very obvious plumber action going on. Kate immediately pointed and laughed so loud! Ella was laughing along, but I grabbed Kate's hand right away and told her to stop laughing. I said, "some people just can't help it." Very solemnly Ella said, "yeah, Kate, like I just can't help laughing."

nine months

2010-10-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

How did this wee little one grow so fast?

He captures my heart, daily.

Isaac is 30", and 21.9 lbs. He won't sit still. He lays his head on my shoulder for one brief and beautiful moment when I say, "go night-night", but otherwise he is kicking and squirming constantly. Isaac has 6 teeth and says ma-ma and da-da noises, but doesn't really use them to identify us. He makes a cute little pig sound and a growl that's really cute. He waves good-bye and is learning to sign "please" and "all done". Any ball is his current fave toy. He's quite a little star in our youth group. Yeah, he's loved. He's been on the New York missions trip and the creation museum trip so he's spent a lot of time with some of them. Isaac smiles so easily so when he's greeted he always rewards you with a smile. Isaac RARELY sleeps through the night. I don't get him out of bed (7:30 to 7:30), but he is stubborn and hasn't learned that his screaming (l-o-n-g and loud!) doesn't work. He keeps trying. Remember me saying that he won't stay still? This has become an issue during diaper changes. He flips over and tries to escape so fast- usually before the diaper is off. This has resulted in discipline at this early age- gotta start young! Along those same lines he is also learning "no touch". Isaac recently discovered airplanes. We live by a small airport. We also live by a fire station and there are train tracks about a block away and police cars frequent our neighborhood. Isaac has a lot of noisy vehicles to watch and listen to during the day! He likes noise. He is definitely a #4. There is always plenty of activity here to entertain him. He likes to make noise. Is it any wonder that his favorite household appliance is the vacuum? We will be celebrating one year before I know it! I'm actually posting this 9 month re-cap on the day he is turning 10 months. I'm also reminded that 9 months ago today I took Jason to the ER for a life altering 24 days in the hospital. I'm thankful everyday for these 2 guys. I cannot imagine life without either of them. I think I have enjoyed God's good gifts in a new and exciting way this year. God is good. To Him be honor and glory forever.

saying goodbye

2010-10-09T22:10:00.000-07:00

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

When we moved here in 2002 and the Tolosas moved shortly after we had no idea how deep and abiding our friendships would be. God has truly blessed us with their friendship and we are thankful for our once-in-a-lifetime friends. They had Sara and 4 months later we had Jonas. They had Silas and 5 months later we had Ella. We had Kate and then came Ezekiel. And then we stuck on Isaac at the end. Notice the pattern... Will there be a little brown haired girl in the T's future? :) We miss you already, dear friends, but are thankful for God's direct leading in your lives.

he LOVES balls!

2010-10-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

This kid is SO busy. He's my busiest, by far.

BTW, now you've had a complete tour of our house(minus kitchen). I'm standing in the doorway of our living room looking at the boys door. To the left is the hall closet and bathroom and to my right is the girls door and our door.

a boy and his gun

2010-09-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

and whatever else he can get into!

The quality of these photos isn't very good, but this is a great progression to me. Isaac is SO busy. He always has been (hands always waving and feet always kicking- I'm sure a Dr. somewhere would love to diagnose him with ADHD already!) but especially these days. He's into everything! I don't know who thought that baby toys were a good idea, but after child #1 they are forgotten and the baby wants whatever big brother and big sister have. Isaac thought he was pretty special here getting Jonas' gun. Jonas usually keeps all of his toys out of little brothers reach, but he didn't mind Isaac playing with his "old" gun.

First he chewed on one end, and then the other.

Pretty good form here, right Grandpa B?

btw, check out all SIX teeth- the better to bite you with, mommy :(

That's enough fun with the gun. He's on to something bigger and better. Jonas is playing with some legos on the couch. Let's go check it out!

I LOVE LOVE this cute little look Jonas is giving big brother!

Jonas knows this look can only mean trouble! The couch isn't a safe place anymore. It's time to move little brother over!

Stay here, Isaac!

Nope, no such luck. He's back!

Show me your smile, big boy!