"ALEVE"

So you may be wondering why the picture of a plant when the title is "Aleve." THis story is priceless-- though it did come at the expense of Eric's toe.

Tonight, it was time to get Dylan ready for bed. He was running back and forth between Eric and I ticking and laughing up a storm. The sound of his laughter is contagious! Dylan and I went to hurry upstairs and Eric came running after us to "get" us. Eric slipped on the stairs and immediately fell down yelling. He thought he broke his toe initially. However, when we looked-- well he had ripped a portion of the skin off-- enough of the gross part. Dylan was SO concerned about him He followed Eric to the bathroom holding the entire box of band-aids. As I went to take Dylan to get his jammies on, I asked Eric if he wanted some Aleve to help stop the throbbing. Dylan started yelling- I get it for Daddy-- and took off. He ran to the plant you see in the pictures above-- he pulled and pulled (it is fake!) He finally got the 2 leaves off. He ran back to the bathroom saying "Here daddy-- here is your leaf-- you be all better now!" He was so proud of his hard work.
I could not be prouder in this moment-- it was precious and priceless!

Dylan

Dylan is growing up SO quickly!!! The biggest news is that he is potty trained!!! He is so proud of himself. He basically did this on his own. Once he realized he could stand up on a stool-- that was all it took. He feels so big--he says I'm big like daddy!! Here he is in his car big boy underwear-- we also have lots of Thomas and spiderman!!

For Christmas, Granny Lou got him a cowboy outfit. He has recently decided that he is a cowboy. He wears this around the house all day long!


Dylan is growing up too fast-- he says the cutest things-- has a tender heart- and keeps us on our toes.

Kadyn

Kadyn is having a great year in 1st grade. Here are a few of the highlights from the past month.

Each week, PE chooses one student to be "Student of the Week." Kadyn was the 1st grade student last week!!! Her picture was up by the gym all week long! We were so proud. She is the top left picture.

Kadyn has been asking to cheer for over a year now. Eric and I have not wanted to invest a lot of money if she was not really going to enjoy it. The church we have been visiting has the Upward program. So, we signed her up- a short term commitment to see how she likes it. She is loving it so far! Here are a few of the highlights...


Here I am looking oh so cute in my cheerleading uniform.

Performing at halftime- I am on the far right of the front row.

Can you hear me chant?

Coach Linda is giving out our awards-- the first week I got Best Effort- the second week I got Best Cheers.
We are so proud of Kadyn!!

Wedding Day!!!

What a MIGHTY God we serve! What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, Heaven and Earth adore Him-What a mighty God we serve!!

There is no other way to begin to share this day than giving honor and praise to God-whom I now refer to as Papa-- want to know why-- that is another story-- ask me about that in an email and I will let you know!

This day- January 18th is nothing short of a miracle-- Eric and I want to look forward, not dwell on what was- but what is now and what is to come. We were able to celebrate the restoration of our marriage around 2:00 on Friday, January 18th, 2008. We chose to celebrate this new beginning in a quiet setting. We did take Kadyn with us for the ceremony. We felt is was important for her to be with us, as she has walked this road emotionally with us. We did get the ceremony on video. Here are the pictures that were taken of the fun afterwards. Enjoy!!

We will have a time for those who want to celebrate with us what God has done. How, when, or where this will be???? We do not know yet! We will let you know when we do!

This is Kadyn and Eric right before the ceremony. We had just given Kadyn a silver chain with my original wedding band on it. We promised her this was forever- we promised her that Eric was adopting her and would officially be her daddy. She was SO excited!!

Here is our wedding cake-- simple, yet delicious! The top decorations are white chocolate!!

Here we are-- moments after we were officially married!

Cutting the Cake

Now- we all get fed!!



Eric opening the sparkling cider-a real cork that popped-- I was reliving the story of my parents wedding night-- I did not want anyone to have a black eye!! Thankfully no one does!


Do you know how hard this was with our height difference?

Right outside the B&B

Across the street was the courthouse

Can you see the joy on both of their faces?

My angel!

The New and Improved Branch's!!

Signing the license!!!!

Before Kadyn left, she wanted to take a picture of us--

Thank you to EVERYONE who prayed for us, supported us, and loved us......we love you all!!

Christmas Day 2007

Christmas Day was full of adventure. This was Granny Lou and Pop's year to be with us on Christmas morning. They chose to spend the night so they would not miss any of the fun. The pictures below are not in any order. I can tell you if it is Diego, play tools, Hannah Montana, or High School Musical, I think we now have it at our house! Kadyn also got a very cool book made by Mrs. Claus. She wrote to Santa wanting to know if there was a Mrs. Claus. The book, with a letter from both Mr. and Mrs. Claus were so neat! We made sure to keep it so we can use it every year! Dolly was happy- she got a bed!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve-- a time of tradition and change.
We started off our evening at FRBC's Christmas Eve service. Going to a service is a tradition, however this year was different. Our family has been visiting FRBC, but only for a short time. Mom and Dad are not members there either. Yes, we are all in a time of transition as we look for a new church family. However, it was important for us to celebrate the birth of our Saviour--
Dylan actually did great! He played with stickers for a majority of the time. The only time it could have gotten hairy- well at the end when the entire sanctuary is lit by candles that you are holding. Of course, Dylan wanted to hold it. This went ok with MUCH watching by me. It was the blowing out part that got him- he used his lips to put the flame out--yes-- his lips on the flame. The look on his face-- it was not a catastrophe- I think he pulled his lips away fast enough that it only startled him!
Then- it was home to eat and open one present.


The tradition of PJ"s continues- this year- Diego and High School Musical.
Kadyn told us the Christmas Story using the Little People Nativity set we got the kids this year.
This is my FAVORITE picture!

To top the night off, we had chocolate fondue-- a Kline family tradition that is being continued!!
Then off to bed-- Santa was coming!

Christmas with the Skippers

Christmas with the Skippers came a few days early since they were heading to Memphis. The kids had a great time opening their gifts to each other and then playing. The grown-ups--well we had fun- if that is what you call it- taking apart the packages.

Jonathan and Dylan had a great deal of fun going up the stairs and sliding back down. It has been such a joy to see them really begin to play and interact with each other. Pop even got in on the action playing Troy- while Kadyn was Gabriella.