Because everything is bigger there. . .

Texas, here we come! Noel and I are leaving Sunday for Ft. Worth to spend the week with the Collins famiy. And David is leaving Monday for Mexico, but will be staying in Brownsville. We are almost as far away from each other in Texas as we would be if David stayed home, that's how big Texas is. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing Matt, Jenni, Jude, and Mattie, their new home, the warm weather, and a little break from Kokomo. You can really have only so much Kokomo at one time. Then you kind of overdose.

Also, we are happy to report that David is kidney stone free and feeling very good. It was a long 2 weeks, but the worst is behind us, thank God.

Winter Pictures

If you are interested, click here to see pictures from this winter.




http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AYtWzFi0ZNmLvw

YEOUCH!!!

That is the theme around our house this week. We found out on Monday that David has 2 rather large kidney stones trying to work their way out. David is going to the hospital on Friday to try and get them crushed. They are not sure if they can reach them, but they will try. Say a prayer for David when you can.

Stuck!

Noel was playing around in the kitchen today, and ended up sitting in a mixing bowl. Then he couldn't get out! So David ran and got the camera. Is it bad to take pictures instead of helping him out of his dilemna?

New words now in Noel's vocabulary:
"No" (his favorite!)
Cookie
cheese
Tee

New animal sounds:
horse
cat
sheep

It's like Old MacDonald around here.

We were robbed!!

All year I have been following my Illinois State Men's Basketball team. They did so well this year, finished 2nd only to Drake in the MVC and got 2nd in the conference tournament. But, alas, they were not chosen for the big dance. I was really disappointed, but I will get to see them play on tv since they are a 2nd seed in the NIT (whatever. . .) Go redbirds!!

Puffcorn to the rescue

To anyone out there who has small children, someone introduced me to these things called "Puffcorn Delites" and Noel is officially in love with them. They aren't as messy as cheetos and don't have the hulls that popcorn does. We might buy stock in them!

Reason #43 why I avoid Wal-Mart

So Noel and I went to Wal-Mart to get a few things today. I got a wicker basket to replace one in our house that had broken. When I got up to the checkout, I said to the cashier, "You can just put the rest of the items in the basket." I have been really trying not to be wasteful with those plastic bags. So she proceeds to put all of my items in a bag and THEN in the basket. I told her I didn't need the bag. She got all huffy and said, "Well, why not??" I told her I was trying not to be wasteful. I got the eyeroll and the items were put in the basket, sans bag. You would have thought I'd asked her to recycle or something, the way she reacted. You gotta love it.

Snowed In!

Last weekend, as part of our Christmas, David and I had planned a getaway to Ohio. First, we were supposed to drop Noel off with David's sister. Then we would head to Columbus, Ohio to stay at the Hyatt downtown, have some fun exploring the city, taking our nephew out, and finally watch our Michigan State Spartans play Ohio State.

As most of you know, however, Columbus had the biggest snow in years, over 20 inches. When we left Saturday from Findlay, we thought the weather shows were exaggerating. Not the case at all. After a couple of hours of driving very slowly and cautiously, we ended up stranded in Marion, Ohio, about 45 miles from Columbus. When we got off, we couldn't see anything. David found a Fairfield Inn and went in to talk to someone about the conditions. By then, the police had blocked off the exits and closed the highway completely. Our romantic getaway had just been moved to lovely Marion, Ohio!! Long story short, the evening consisted of hanging out in the hotel room and a trip to Walmart (the only store open in the whole town) for microwave popcorn and poptarts for dinner. But we were safe and thankful for that.

Fortunately, we did make it to the game on Sunday. The Spartans gave away the game at the end, but we had a good time and got to take Aaron out for lunch afterwards. So our plans didn't go quite as expected, but it was an adventure we will not soon forget!

Thoughts about faith

I have been thinking that I can use this blog as more than just an outlet for sharing pictures of Noel, as precious as his little cheeks are.

Faith is on my mind today, and how roller-coaster-y mine is, depending on the circumstances. Right now I'm going through the book of Numbers (I know what you're thinking, "thrilling") and although there are lots of boring parts, it struck me today how the Israelites moved according to God's presence in a cloud. They had no idea how long they were going to be in one place. Could be a day, a month, or more. Whenever the cloud moved, they had to pack up and go. But packing up and going meant soooo much work, because they had the tabernacle with all of its specific details in the tearing up and setting down. The Israelites had to have faith that where God was leading them was worth all of the effort. I long for that kind of faith. The kind where I wake up every day and let God lead, not worrying about tomorrow, a month from now, 10 years from now, etc. The kind where I make the most of every opportunity (Eph. 4?) and still think eternally. May my head be in the clouds today.

Who killed our snowman?

On Friday, David and Noel made a snowman, and now he is losing his girth at rapid speed. Am I sad about this? Not at all!! Welcome, spring! We will miss the skiing, but bring on the warm weather!!

Get to know me!

I saw this on a blog post and thought it was a cool way to get to know someone. Here are my answers. Feel free to add yours and/or comment on mine.
By the way, I could answer the Bible to almost all of these, but since that is kind of a given, I'll exclude that book.

One book that changed my life: The Hiding Place by Cory Ten Boom. Amazing book about surviving the Holocaust and using everything for God's glory.

One book that I have read more than once: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. If you know me at all, you know I am a huge Donald Miller fan. This is the best of his books. A great book about God that's not "religious"

One book I would take with me on a desert island: probably one of the classics that I've never read, like The Brothers Karamozov or War and Peace.

One book that made me laugh: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. He and his friend try and conquer the Appalachain Trail. Soooo funny in parts.

One book that made me cry: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. This book could go in several other categories as well. But I distinctly remember finishing it sitting in a hallway before a class in college and just crying my eyes out. People were walking by thinking I was having a breakdown.

One book that scared the you-know-what out of me: I'm a pretty big wimp about scary books. I've started some Dean Koontz books and had to stop reading them because of nightmares!

One book I wish I had written: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. One of the best female-written books of all time. Love, love, love it.

One book I wish had never been written: Tie between Moby Dick and Johnny Tremain. I know they are classics, but I can't stand either one of them!

One book I am currently reading: Wild at Heart by John Eldridge

One book I intend to read: The Shack by William P. Young

Stir Crazy

So it was about 4 degrees all day today. Stir craziness got the best of us and Noel dressed up in all the winter wear we have. He stomped around the house in his boots for a couple of hours before I made him take them off. What a funny kid.

What Noel's up to

*almost 20 pounds

*lots of climbing--piano bench, kitchen chairs, bed, stairs, Tee, whatever he can

*animal sounds. His lion is especially mean and scary :)

*eating with utensils. He can't get the food on the fork, but once I hand him a fork with something, watch out!

*playing peek-a-boo

*wearing mom's sunglasses

*opening every door, drawer, container possible

*plastic bottles with lids (why do we buy him toys again?)

*being about the cutest little kid in the world

Why I love Kokomo

I'm not sure how long this link will be available, but this story is amazing.

http://www.kokomotribune.com/local/local_story_015084453.html

Christmas Highlights, part 3

On the day after Christmas, the Wittenbach Family all met up at Boyne Mountain in northern Michigan for 3 days of skiing, eating, water park-ing, and family time. We had such a good time. The skiing conditions were amazing, (especially since I got to try out my new ski blades that David got me for Christmas). It snowed most of the time, so there was always fresh powder for the slopes. And on the last day some of us went to the indoor water park at the resort. Noel loved being in the water, and although he struggled with sleep, he had a good time being loved on by his big family. Yet another reminder of how much God has blessed us.

Christmas Highlights, part 2

Our second Christmas celebration was on Christmas day itself. We had Christmas at our house in the morning, and then at my grandparents' house in the afternoon. I think Noel's favorite gift is his new toy vacuum. He drags it all over the house. After lunch with the family, we headed up to Michigan to spend Christmas night with David's parents, David's brother and family, and David's grandmother. Noel was a little overwhelmed with all the people, but we thought it was really cool that he got to see every one of his grandparents and great-grandparents on the actual day of Christmas. This is a rare occurance, especially when they live in different states.

Christmas Highlights, part 1

Our first Christmas celebration took place at my parents' house. Noel didn't really understand the whole present thing, but enjoyed the food and family. Our highlight was playing Guitar Hero III with the whole fam. Everyone got in on the action.

Let the fun begin!

Since we have snow now we realized that Noel needs snow boots! We found a pair that not only light up, but they have snowboarders on the side! So we took a few pictures while Noel gave a fashion show, sans pants. Who doesn't love those legs???

Snow Day!

Just wanted to put some pictures of us enjoying the season. Noel got to really experience snow for the first time. He loves being outdoors, just like his dad. Just wait until he can ski/snowboard!

And our little Christmas tree looks so cute! I'm amazed that Noel hasn't bothered it. . .yet. Looking forward to more fun this month.

Pictures from our broken camera

Here are some pictures from the Creation Museum and one from the Air Force Museum. We bought another camera on ebay, so the pictures can continue. We had a great Thanksgiving with all of our family. Noel's big achievement was mastering the stairs at Aunt Christy's house. Tonight we learned that he will sway back and forth and clap his hands if we play Transiberian Orchestra. He's a rock star already!