Soren is SEVEN....

Seven years ago just about now I was praying and pushing that this baby would come out of me....4:33pm Soren Michael Oursler was born..healthy and 8 pounds 2 ounces. Who could ever think you could love another baby so much. God blessed us again!!

Soren is the sweetest little boy -yes he is all boy, but he loves to cuddle with his mom and that is my favorite part. He is my kid that will tell me everything. At 7 he loves Star Wars, and action figures, he also loves motorcycles and motorcyle guys. He can hang with Parker on bikes or skateboards, or play brothers and sisters with Lizzie and Isabella and loves to hang out with Charlie.

Today he is celebrating at Disneyland with his Uncle Bubba! They share the same birthday.

I know this is a goofy picture but my darn camera is broken and it the most recent one I have...

Hospital Stay!!

I just read my last post and 1. I can't believe it was a month ago and 2. I don't even remember having a cold...I must be getting old.

So my blog has suffered because I am addicted to Facebook - UGH!!

The funny thing about writing this is and I am dead serious - the only person who reads this is Shelley and she knows what is going on in my life already. Maybe if I updated more then I would get more readers....

Hospital Stay.... We just spent 6 days in the hospital with Isabella and a bacteria infection in her hip. I'm glad to report she is feeling much better, we go back to Children's hospital today and have her blood work done and see the orthopedic. She was a very sick little girl and it was scary. I was so calm through the whole thing, and I must say it was GOD...I could feel the prayers around me and I had a peace about me that I have never experienced in that type of situation. Typically I would have had her diagnosed with cancer or something. We had unbelievable care at the hospital, the nurses were fantastic. The dr's looked like Doogie Houser - they were so young (again I must be getting old). We have no idea how she got it since she didn't have a cold recently or an open cut that got infected.

Isabella was so awesome through the entire ordeal, she did not cry one time and she was in alot of pain. She said "this is an experience I can talk about"...I drew some of my strength from her.

I did not take 1 picture while I was there and for that I am a bad mom - part of the reason was the camera was packed in the camper, since when this happened we were going on vacation. Mike and Soren actually had already left, so Mike had to come home. Soren stayed with the Esterholts (thanks guys) and then the Wales family arrived so he stayed with them. I missed him way too much.

We had alot of visitors at the hospital which made us feel very special. My church is making us dinners, which is a huge blessing and my favorite thing is - my friend Penny paid to have my house cleaned...that was the most amazing gift and I give thanks to all my friends and family.

Thanks for all the prayers!
caroline

Facebook and Blogs

I can't believe it has been almost 1 month since my last blog - that is so bad, but my 3 readers are pretty much now just 1 (Hi Shelley)...AND I have been attached to facebook, not that I update mine all that much, but looking at what is going on with other people around me.

I am blogged obessed (thanks Shelley), I will look at the same blog 3 times a day to see if it is updated - most of my favorite blogs are dedicated bloggers and update daily!

Anyway today on a someone's blog I read 2 scriptures that really hit home with me today and they are getting printing and put on the fridge.
Phillippians 4:6-8 and Exodus 14:13-14 - Go look them up , they are powerful! Now if I just read them everyday and let it sink in.

Things are good at the Oursler's, Mike has been working this week and last week, work is crazy for me and the kids are doing well.

I do have a cold which is a complete bummer and Soren is going to have permanent tubes put in soon , but the poor guy can't hear and is going to need to learn sign language soon.

I need to put some pictures up here soon.

Oh facebook - so my darling husband loves to look at my facebook and I kept telling him to get his own, but he said "NO WAY" so I obeyed his wishes - then he did a bad thing, he accepted some old friend of his on MY FACEBOOK - hello I don't even know the guy. So that night I set him up his own account. We have no secrets to hide but he needs his own, he has more friends then me and LOTS of friends from Kindergarten he still keeps in touch with...

That is all for now - going to finish dinner and sneeze!

Oursler Update

Our camera is still doing this "green mode" thing and I don't know what that is ..I guess I should read the destruction manual.

Soren is a Dodger -not sure if I mentioned that before and now I am a Dodger Team Mom - (remember the "s" in my maiden name is for sucker) and apparantly me saying "no thank you" this year isn't working out too well. But the coach seems like he will be good and I could tell he needed help. I asked him on Tuesday at practice "coach do you have a team mom" and before he even had "no" out of his mouth I said "I'll do it".... so the first course of action was a banner (for Saturday), I got some guy's name and he whipped it out - it isn't anything fancy but for 65 bucks you can't beat it. Then I made a snack schedule and a letter from the team mom - and I am now the coaches hero. He probably thinks I am some kind of Type A personality, but if he came and saw the laundry mountain in the middle of my room, he would know I am far from Type A. I just want it to be a good year for Soren (and me...). So I'm off to get some Dodger Blue for myself - ugh!!

Isabella is in her first CYT play Jungle Book, starting on Sunday are dress rehearsals - it will be a busy week. She is very excited, and I'm glad it is only 1 week and not the ususal 2 weeks. I promise to post pictures.

Mike is back working - this is his first full week, he is tired but we are thankful for sunshine and disbatch's.

I am working my butt off (oh I wish) at work! I am having to take renter files, which I stink at - I have been a homesale consultant way too long. So I am having to remember how needy renters can be, and try to give 100% service.

PTF -as you faithful readers know, Cami and I started the PTF (like PTA) at our kids school and it is finally paying off, we are getting ready to redo the playground, with the money we raised at our "Race for Education" last year. It is so great to see God's work be done and how prayers can truly be answered.

Well just a little update...I always think of these great things to post on my blog and then I get too busy to update it. Oh my next post needs to be about facebook - seriously some people need to get a life and quit posting it on FB...(I know the lingo)

goodnight
xxox

9 year old, Valentine's "do over" and the rain...

My little girl turned 9 on Friday Feb 13th ( I know I am a bad blogger) we celebrated on Thursday night with the Wales family. Isabella was so into her birthday this year, which I find so sweet and sort of wierd since this is the 1st year she didn't have a party. So I guess all the fuss and money doesn't really matter anyway. She was so excited with her "boompod" chair her brother gave her, and a new DS game from the Wales' family, clothes and new cute sneakers from Kellee and Mrs. Morgan. We gave her our (lame) IOU gift...which will be very fun when it happens. She is going to Los Angeles for an overnight and to the American Girl Doll store for tea and shopping. She is very excited and once CYT is over then we will set the date - she did love that I put "TBD" on the card...she keeps saying that every chance she gets.

Cami and I kept telling her all about "9 years ago right now we were..." , she loves the story of her birth.

Valentine's "do over" - so Mike and I didn't have the best Valentine's day this year. We never really make a big fuss out of it, a card, a kiss and maybe dinner (typically at home), but this year we were at each other's throats about EVERYTHING...I mean any little chance we both had to get a dig in, we did it. I finally sent him off with Soren to go riding and met up with him later...we both needed a break from one another. The good news is we have at least 20 more Valentine's together, so no worries that 2009 went on the books as not our best. The 15th was a much better day for us and included a family ride...Yes my friends I got on my motorcycle and went on a family ride, it helped that I had some champagne first, but I did go on another one yesterday and did just as good. The kids were so encouraging, they kept saying "wow mom you are a rider now".

Rain - Okay I'm over it, building an Ark as we speak.... Mike doesn't work in the rain and ha, ha God, I get it.... you led me to a man that doesn't work when it rains, and I was raised by a man that didn't work when it rained.... ugh!! God does have sense of humor doesn't He? The financial part of it is stressful but also Mike and I don't do well when we are couped up together for so much time. We are the kind of couple that likes the break so we appreicate when we do get time together - he should have been a fireman.... Don't get me wrong, I love that man with my whole heart...however once he gets bored, it is game over!! So I am praying for some sunshine...and some work for Mike.

Our digital camera is in "green mode" not sure what that means... so I don't have any pictures, but I will get some soon....

Have a great Tuesday!
Cars
xxox

13 years - Do I miss her more then ever....

February 9, 1996 is the day my mom, Susan Sorensen died. I was doing so good this morning but then once I got to work started to get upset. I guess I take turns missing her on her birthday or the day she died - they are only 8 days apart. So much has gone on in the past 13 years and I can't believe it has actually been that long. The pain is still there, the pit in my stomach that I can't call her and ask her how to spell something, or if she could make brownies for my meeting tonight, or just have her around you to make you feel I.W.B.J.F - "It will be just fine"...I used to think that saying was so dumb but now I get it - I know that things will be just "fine", especially is this horrible economy we are living in right now. My mom would make it seem like it was going to get better and soon, she just had this way about her.

I sometimes wish Mike got it -but I know he can't relate since he hasn't ever lost anyone in his family that he was that close to -(except our dog Wilbur). I wish Mike knew to just put his arms around me today and say "it will be just fine".... but that isn't his way. I'm sure he thinks I want to have a pity party, and maybe I do. I miss not having a mom around, someone to tell you to get your act together, or that you look nice (even if you haven't lost the pounds you needed to), or that you are a terrific mom. My dad tries hard, but it isn't the same as a mom.
I used to tell Mike that I wish I had a "wife" or a "mom".

I won't have a pity party today, but be thankful for all that she taught me and make sure I leave that legacy with Isabella and Soren.

So if you are reading this and have a mom, call her or hug her, if you are reading this and don't have a mom - call me or hug me!!

xxox
Caroline

Isabella's riding "green"...

She is now riding a 110 Kawasaki, we sold her old bike on Saturday as well. She went riding yesterday with Parker, Lizzie and Soren. She said her new bike is WAAAY faster then her old on. Mike said she did great and she is very comfortable on it. I'm so glad we were patient and waited rather then purchased the other bike that was way too big for her (in mom's opinion).

Soren is becoming a riding machine, and making his dad very proud. He took a few falls but got right back up and starting riding again. They want to go out again this next weekend, and since Mike doesn't care about football at all he is willing to go.

We aren't going camping until Easter due to Isabella's CYT play. I'm trying to talk Mike into selling my bike, I never ride it and we don't really need an extra bike these days. I have the Polaris Ranger and that is my bike.

CYT auditions

Isabella is trying out tonight for a part in Jungle Book with CYT - Christian Youth Theatre - www.cyt.org - She has to go on stage state her name, age and then sing a 1 minute song. Ofcourse she picks "Amazing Grace, my chains are gone" - it is a great song and she sings it well. She has a beautiful voice but never had any formal voice training ( I think that will be next on the list). Please pray that she does her best. I was thinking "Happy Birthday" would have been much easier....

There are 4 other girls trying out that she goes to school with, so hopefully everyone will get a part in the play. It is a great experience for her, it is alot of work for mom and dad too, but hey isn't that why we are on earth?

Poor Soren gets to do nothing....tomorrow is baseball sign ups so I will make sure we get him signed up and he feels special. The good news is, he doesn't know the difference. He is not feeling well again today, a slight fever and a stomach ache. I know the steroids are making him ill, but the fever has me stumped - maybe his "little" body is fighting something off.

Glad it is Friday...work is going good though this first week in 2009. We had an awesome follow up team meeting yesterday and some changes are being put in place. I know God's plan is for me to work at Paragon at this time, and 2009 is my year to shine at work.

On a sad note... Mark Lamberth passed away last night, it is so strange because I don't know him or his family but feel a part of their lives through their blog http://prayforthelamberths.wordpress.com/ . They have an amazing love for the LORD, and it should be a testament to us all. I pray for his wife and young son to have peace in the these coming days.

Have a fantastic Friday!!
cars xxox

It's good to be Green!

Last year our family made a good(not great) attempt at going green, this year is going to be better. I really do want us to try to do more vegetarian... not sure why all green blog sites seem to be vegetarians...is killing cows, chickens and pigs not Green?



Anyway tonight NO HEATER..okay that is so easy since it is warm today, but we are so spoiled by the heater, even though it makes all of us get a cold. Tonight it is flannels and blankets.



Also I am ordering my family water bottles maybe here http://www.mysigg.com/ but need to still look around. We are going to get rid of all purchasing of water bottles and start caring around our own...it will also help put more pennies in our bank account.



I have been following this blog http://prayforthelamberths.wordpress.com/, and it appears as though things have gotten worse in the past 24 hours. It is very sad he is so young and with a young family. The silver lining in the whole story is the amazing love for the Lord they have and their friends have, I read it everyday, and it just reassures me of the great love we have in Jesus Christ, and there is a reason for everything he does in our lives... The story hits home with me since Mark was injured in a motorcycle accident...another reason I pray my sweet husband will accept Jesus into his life.

I found out about the Lamberth's at this website, which I LOVE to read daily, 2 even 3 times a day...http://whittakerwoman.typepad.com/. She is funny and has great stories and obviously great friends.

Mike just called and he has to be up for work at 11:00PM - I need to go make him soup and grilled cheese and give him a nice back rub. He is working his buns off this week. He is a good egg that man of mine.

No Awana for the kids tonight...we are going to shower and pj it early, and finish our thank you cards.

Happy Wednesday!
Cars

Welcome 2009

Happy New Year! I have been trying to think of my "word" for 2009 - there could be so many choices: Believe, Faith, Peace, Drink ( just kidding), Simple, Focus, Organize, throwawaycrap (okay so do made up words work?), Family, Love etc... you get the picture.

I think for me personally - "simplify" would be my personal word. Really I would want it to be "selfish", just so I made time for me this year, but I know the word "selfish" is not good, and I know putting others first is what the bible tells me to do. Which would lead me to Mike's word for me ( or really a phrase)..."just say NO". I know Mike thinks I spread myself too thin at times.

I think my word for Mike would be - "Faith", I know God has a plan for Mike to come to know him, my hope for 2009 would be for Mike's faith to grow stronger, and that we could pray together.

My word for my kids would be "Focus"... just so they could pay attention to what they are doing, if it is homework, bike riding, playing in their rooms, cleaning, etc... Just focus on the task they are doing.

But if I had to pick just one word for our Family for 2009, it would be GRACE! Giving and receiving. Sometimes it is easier to give grace then to receive it.

Mike and I want to get our house and garage cleaned out and throw away some stuff, and there is going to need to be alot of giving and receiving of GRACE during this process. The good news is we both have alot of "stuff", the bad news is we both think we "might" need it someday. We need that clean house lady to come and help us determine what stays and what goes.

2009 is my year to get rid of the extra 50-60 pounds of "stuff" on my body as well. Mike's 25 year school reunion is in August and I want to wear a cute black dress - so that is my goal. 2008 I didn't even try to get rid of the "stuff" and that has never happened before, typically I'm always trying but last year I just gave in to it, accepted it and knew I had to concentrate on other issues. I will be healthy (and thin) this year!

My words for my work are all 3 - FAITH, FOCUS and GRACE...funny how they all applied to me at work! Faith that I will not be layed off, Focus on the task, and lots of giving and receiving of Grace...

Happy New Year my dear 3 readers ( oh that should have been my goal for this year, increase that number to 6)... I did put our blog on my Christmas card so you never know.

xxox
Caroline