Family Photo Shoot

My brother took these awesome pictures for us a couple of weekends ago at Albertson Park in Boise. I love them! Thanks, Chuck.

Outnumbered

We just got home from the cabin and for the first time ever the kids outnumbered the adults on this trip! Susie and Annie met us up in Garden Valley for a little get away on Tuesday through Thursday. (Benjy was in Seattle for Tim's sixth round of treatments and Susie didn't want to be home alone.) The first day was dreary and rainy, but then things cleared up nicely and we had plenty of time to play outside. We have had to switch from man-to-man to a zone defense when it comes to managing all the little girls. Considering they are all 4 years old and younger, they played together very nicely and didn't cause too much chaos in the cabin.

Sierra takes her turn pushing Annie in the swings.

Ally and Annie working on their summer tans.

(I'm going to save this one for a "then and now" in about 13 years!)

Valerie holding her head up to explore the beautiful scenery from the deck.

Susie and Annie resting in the shade.

Summertime memories at the cabin...PRICELESS!!!

Eleven Years

This picture was taken just after Marc asked me to marry him. We stopped for an afternoon visit to Yosemite National Park on our way up to Idaho for the summer of 1997. After a picnic lunch in front of Half Dome he popped the question. It was completely spontaneous and perfect. He had planned to have an elaborate proposal later in the summer, but couldn't pass up the peaceful afternoon and the beautiful setting. Some passers-by saw us out in the middle of the meadow and offered to take this picture for us just after the proposal.

Today we're celebrating 11 years of marriage
Here's to the next 11 years together!

Introducing Valerie Joy

Valerie Joy Mouser

May 11, 2009

6:10 a.m.

7 lbs. 3 oz.

20 inches

Many of you have already heard of the early arrival of our third sweet daughter. She was due on May 27th, but decided that was just too long to wait. The delivery went very smoothly, but shortly afterward her blood sugar levels started to fluctuate. She was admitted to the NICU at St. Luke's Hospital here in Meridian. That was certainly a very difficult experience for Marc and I. She looked and acted like a healthy little girl and it was heartbreaking to see her hooked up to monitors and an IV drip. Her blood sugar levels eventually balanced out and kept a steady level. Once she was discharged from the NICU, my blood pressure started to act up. (Whose wouldn't, right?!) My medication was changed and I was then released on strict orders to take it easy and come back for a check up. That check up was this morning. My blood pressure has started to come down and I will just continue to take the medication for at least the next 6 weeks. Valerie also had a check up this morning. The doctor said that everything looks great....except she is a bit yellow. So we had to have her poor little heels poked yet again! Her bilirubin results came back just a while ago and were within the acceptable range but still much higher than at the time of our release from the hospital. Just as a precaution, we are supposed to take her to the ER tomorrow to have a lab draw yet again. YIKES! How much more?! Yet God continues to provide His perfect peace just when we need it. This old hymn has been running through my mind all day today:

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed. When you are
discouraged thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings -name
them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small. Do not be
discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will
attend. Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see
what God hath done!"

So here are some of the blessings:

1. The delivery went very (very!) quickly and I was able go "all natural" this time!
2. Grandpa and Grandma Cook were able to see and hold Valerie for a short while before heading over to Israel. My mom was even there for the birth!
3. We had wonderful NICU nurses to care for our daughter.
4. Valerie is a good little eater.
5. Susie & Benjy and Chuck & Missy did (and continue to do) a fantastic job of taking care of Sierra and Ally for us. Although we missed the girls terribly, we were never worried about them. They were having such a good time that they barely missed us.
6. So many church friends and family members have been generous in providing delicious meals for our first week at home. THANK YOU!!!
7. Marc was able to take the whole week off from work to be with me and to help out at home. He only has one more week of school left this year!
8. Some guys have offered to take over Marc's Sunday school teaching responsibilities for the next couple of weeks.
9. My blood pressure has begun to come down.
10. We are all home together!!!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR US!!! We certainly have much to be thankful for. Now more than ever, Valerie's name and it's meaning have become extra special to us:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!!!

Happy Birthday(S)!!!

It feels like this whole week has been a party. It all started with a fun family celebration for my birthday last weekend. Everyone gathered at our place on Saturday evening ... and I didn't have to do any of the work! After a delicious steak dinner on the grill, Mom served Pave - my favorite Brazilian dessert! Unfortunately, I'm usually the one behind the camera and I don't have any pictures of the event. It was a great family time complete with balloons, cards, candles and gifts!

On Friday, my dear friends Shawna and Julie surprised me with a little party during our Mom2Mom playgroup time. They prepared a delicious lunch and spoiled me with more gifts. Thanks so much, girls! It has been such a blessing to get together each week.

Today (my actual birthday) started off with cards and gifts from Marc and the girls. Then, we headed over to the Beck's for Savannah's first birthday party. (Can it possibly be a whole year already?!?!) Susie did a fantastic job of decorating, cooking and planning games with a luau theme. There were lots of people there to help celebrate Annie's first year of life...Cooks, Becks, Obenchains, Codrs, and Perrys. Annie was the life of the party in her little grass skirt! The kids played a couple of games before we devoured the meat/veggie kabobs, Hawaiian rice, and colorful fruit platters. So yummy!

Playing pin the fishie on the ocean.

Searching for sea shells in the Beck's front yard.

Annie thoroughly enjoyed demolishing her cupcake.

Sharing an otter-pop with Grand-Pop.

Opening gifts!

I must say, however, that the highlight of the day was Annie's last birthday gift. It was a t-shirt from Benjy and Susie that said, "I'm the BIG SISTER."

HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!? Baby Beck #2 is due on December 2nd. WAHOOO!!!

Monday Get-Away

We enjoyed another great day at the cabin with Mom and Dad (a.k.a. Grandpa and Grandma) on Monday. Marc is taking full advantage of his personal days this year - something he has NEVER done before! Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the great Idaho outdoors. Sierra led us on a wild bushwhacking expedition, Marc and Dad moved lots of dirt and wood, Ally and I cleaned up some pine cones, and Grandma made yummy food for all of us.

This picture was taken in June of 2006, shortly after the trees were first planted. Sierra was not quite 2 years old.

Here's how much they have grown in 3 years. Sierra is almost 5.

Ally enjoyed "mowing" the new grass...

...and roasting hot dogs with Grandpa.

Sierra sat far away from the fire and pouted about the smoke!

But in the end, she enjoyed her DOG.

The rain soon chased our lovely picnic indoors.

Great Expectations

It's crazy to think that THIS is the month when our third daughter will join the family. (PLEASE, Lord, don't make us wait until June!) It is very difficult to imagine what Miss Valerie Joy will be like since her two older sisters are such complete opposites... IN EVERY WAY!!! Take a look:

Sierra Elise (Fall 2004)

Ally Grace (Fall 2006)

Sierra was born by C-section in the middle of the night.

Ally was born naturally in the middle of the day.

Sierra is a blue-eyed, blond.

Ally is a brunette with very dark brown eyes.

Sierra loved her baby food, especially rice cereal.

Ally wouldn't touch that mushy stuff...straight to solids.

Sierra waited until after her first birthday to take her first steps.

Ally was practically running at 10 months.

Sierra loves fruit.

Ally prefers vegetables.

Sierra is an wimp when it comes to pain.

Ally doesn't flinch when she gets hurt.

Sierra loves the Disney princesses.

Ally loves Elmo and Cookie Monster.

Sierra is a people pleaser.

Ally is the world's biggest tease!

Sierra is scared to try new things.

Ally is a dare-devil and will soon be jumping out of airplanes with her Uncle Chuck.

Sierra's favorite colors are pink and purple.

Ally's favorite colors are blue and yellow.

Sierra can sit still and watch a full length video without blinking.

Ally quickly gets bored with the TV.

Sierra has a very sensitive spirit.

Ally likes to push the limits.

And I could go on and on!

We are so anxious to meet our new little girl and to discover her looks and quirks. Please pray with us for a safe and timely delivery. Everything is ready here at home...clothes are washed, the crib made, the car seat is ready to be installed, etc. As much as I would like to be relieved of this "load" that I am carrying, we really would prefer to meet Valerie closer to her due date of May 27th. Sierra's kindergarten open house is May 22nd, Marc will be done with his school year on the 23rd and Mom and Dad will return from a quick trip to Israel on the 24th. After that, our summer calendar is pretty much wide open!