Look out Milli Vanilli

Do you know what is sad? If you actually knew who that group was! ! ! Here is our very own Amazing Allen Duets. Bob hooked up a microphone in the amp we use for his electric drums so the kids could practice singing with a mic. Yeah . . . I'm not sure if that was such a great idea, but they love it. They have put on several shows already and are actually doing pretty good with it. Noah likes being the announcer more than actually singing in it. Now Avery is another story. The last picture is of her singing for Grandpa and Grandma Allen when they were down here. She did really well and stayed pretty focused on what she was doing. Grandpa thought she did such a good job he gave her $1.00. He told her if she practiced and got real good he would give her $2.00 . . . well that is all it wrote. She has been practicing all the time now. The other day I told her she needed to rest for a while and she said "but Grandpa is going to give me $2.00 if I practice real good". Thanks Grandpa . . . the microphone is coming to your house with the amp for Christmas. Santa delivers . . . I checked ! ! !

Enjoy the pictures everyone - maybe some time I can actually put them on here singing.

Lisa

My little man isn't so little

I know this is a rather odd picture, but I just want to show you the dilema I go through on laundry day. My little boy is slowly (or rather quickly in Mommy time) growing to the size of a man (or at least his feet are). I know by looking at the picture you say "Well Bob's are still bigger" or "Noah's are grey on the bottom", but trust me when you have 40 socks staring you in the face those difference quickly disapear and you realize that you are no longer able to just grab the baby socks and the Daddy socks and be done. You now have to stop - think and then check drawers when your husband informs you that he thinks his socks are shrinking because they don't quite fit right. This is only the beginning wait for the underwear ! ! !

A little frazzled, but blessed all the same - Lisa

Bears in a Guitar Shop

Bob took the Bear Scouts to a Guitar shop a few weeks ago and they got to see how guitars are made. Phil, one of our scout's dad use to work here - so he gave the boys a grand tour. I think they all had a really fun time. Each of the boys came home with a guitar as well. OK so it was only 3 inches tall, but hey what can you expect for beginners. I know I have said this before, but was are so blessed with the boys in our pack . . . they are a great group of young men and Bob is so proud of all of them.

Avery's Broken Leg

Okay before you totally freak out and think Avery really broke her leg . . . take a really good look.

Yep you guessed it - it's toilet paper ! ! Is that not just the funniest thing ever. She came in the other day and asked for some tape and the next thing I know she comes hobbling back in. I think she probably got this from poor little Audrey's arm, but I just thought this was too cute. Of course she played it to the hilt. And I must say that I am SO thankful we have not had to live this in real life, which I am completely shocked about.

Have a great day everyone and as Avery would say "break a leg" or at least a TP Break

Lisa

Bind-It All

Okay to most of you that means nothing. But to the rest of us "crafters" it means your own personal binding system. This was one of those "have-to-have" things that was all the buzz this past year. Well I waited and waited and waited and then CAVED ! ! ! But I am so glad that I did. It is a fun little machine and is super easy to use. You can make all kinds of scrapbooks or notebooks or coaster projects. The possiblilities are endless. Okay can you see that I am still trying to justify it.

This is a little scrapbook I made for Avery. It took me longer to print off the label than it did to put the book together. It is just filled with blank pieces of paper for her to write or draw on.

This picture is of a Birthday Calendar I put together for the Craft Show. Each month is on a seperate piece of paper so you can see all the birthdays for that specific month. I really enjoyed making these and think next time I will try a little different size as well.

Well there you have it my "have-to-have" sale pitch for the year. OK I guess not everyone has to have it, but even if you don't use it is a great conversation piece.

Have a wonderful day everyone - Lisa

Just Some Catching Up To Do

I had a few minutes this evening so I decided to try and get a little caught up on the blog. The kiddos are sleeping (thank you God - that is truly a blessing) and Bobby is off recording music tonight, so it is just me, the laptop and Josh Groban's Christmas CD.

Just to update everyone - Noah is doing "better". I say that because he still sounds so bad when he coughs, but at least he is sleeping through the night a little better. We are on day 9 of this and let me just say it is a little tiring and I'm not even the one sick. We did take him to the doctor on Saturday and then back Wednesday for chest x-rays. Noah does not do well AT ALL with unknown situations (He is like his mama that way) and was really nervous when the Dr. Vo sent us over to Radiology. Avery was telling him all about what to expect and how he will get stickers and everything (She's an old pro having gone through it last winter), but for some reason he wasn't too comforted.

I have to call tomorrow (Friday) if he is still no better, but I think the antibiotics are starting to work a little. The cough syrup Dr. Vo prescribed seems to be stopping the cough enough at night to were he can actually sleep a little. Since it is walking pneumonia, she only wants to try and give him the cough syrup at night so it doesn't settle lower in his lungs. But I think with the inhaler during the day . . . he is able to get past most of the coughing fits without gagging too much. We still are watching for signs of dehydration as now he has diarrhea and is still not eating. Poor little guy lost over 7 pounds from Saturday's weigh in to Wednesday's weigh in, but he is slowly starting to eat a little here and there and we found a Gatorade that he likes - so that helps a lot.

Poor little Avery has missed her Bubba so much. He has not had the energy or desire to even play with her. But now I fear that she is getting it as well. When we went in on Wednesday she was coughing a little bit and Dr. Vo asked if she was sick as well, but she had just started coughing the evening before, so I didn't really know. But . . . . today she has started coughing more and more, so we are just going to see what happens.

Through all this week - I am so blessed that my children are as healthy as they are. I was reminded again today of how fragile life is and how blessed we are as parents with "healthy" strong children. I have not had to watch my child suffer with a debilitating disease or fight for their lives. Each day I have with them is truly a gift from God and I am SO thankful.

Have a wonderful day everyone and remember to thank God for your blessings - Lisa

Life is changing around the Allen House

Can you believe it. Now Grandpa (Allen) if you are reading this - don't pass out. Life is truly changing around the Allen house. Noah is no longer my little boy. OK I don't know if he was ever really "little", but he certainly is growing up to be a fine young man. Cub Scouts has been so good for all of us. It has really allowed him to develop in areas of leadership and responsibility. So Daddy thought that it was time that he have his own knife. YES . . . I know I was thinking it to, "but he's so small" - "what if he slips" - "how much does an ER visit cost" - "are you sure they can sew back on fingers!" Crazy I know. . . but that was the Mommy in me. So we went to Wal-Mart and Daddy and Noah headed off to the knife counter and Mommy and Avery headed as far to the other side of the store as we could get. I said I was changing . . . I didn't say it was a finished work yet. Well as soon as we got home he found the "smallest" stick he could and began his wittlin' . . . If our prayer life were measured during the day, I would have to say that this is where mine hit its climax. But he did a great job. Actually he is very careful and responsible. The boys will actually earn their wittling chips this year in Scouts, so it is good practice for him. Although I believe they are suppose to start with soft pliable soap -I will have to talk to his Den Leader about that :-)

Well that wasn't all the surprises for this little boy. Danny Peacock (one of the guys from our church) invited Bob and Noah out for a campout. Noah's first. Grandma's I tried to get Bob to take the camera with him, but I don't think he thought it was too manly sitting around with a bunch of guys snapping photos of his son's FIRST CAMP OUT ! ! ! Ok just had to add that for Bobby's benefit when he reads this. I'm actually the one that never remembers to bring the camera, and when I do I always forget to take it out of the car or the battery is dead ! ! Well Sissy and I had a great girls night . . . we crafted, ate cookies and popcorn, and watched Little House on the Prairie - What more could you ask for in life?

So off I go to make desserts for Fall Festival today and six quiches for Men's Prayer Meeting tomorrow, which may be interesting considering I have never made a quiche before. Oh well we shall see.

Have a great day everyone - Lisa

The beauty of a rose

Now don't get me wrong . . . I do like flowers, but early in our marriage I decided that flowers were not a thing that I needed. While we were dating and even first married Bobby would surprise me with flowers almost every week. Well after we got married, and bought a house, and a dog, and a new car, and . . . . . . I realized that flowers are expensive and not a thing I need. So I asked Bobby to stop buying flowers . . . I know can you belive it. That being said - I hardly ever receive flowers anymore . . . and it makes those times when he does bring some home even that more meaningful to me. This was one of those days. I was totally surprised when he came home with a dozen roses. Roses are not my favorite flower (I know can you believe it), but it has been a wonderful delight to actually watch these flowers blossom and grow right before my eyes. God has allowed me to see even in a flower His wonderful creation and watch as it grows fuller and fuller with each passing day. Each bud has opened up to its fullest potential and perhaps that is a good reminder to all of us that we also need to drink from God's water and open up to our fullest potential through Him. It has been a couple hard weeks for me and I needed to be reminded of this once again. I am thankful that God uses simple things in life to show us teachable moments. Thank you Bobby for showing me not only your undeserving love but also God's wonderful beauty.

Have a wonderful day everyone - Lisa

Devotion Time

I thought I would share with you some pictures from our devotion time the other night.

Bob taught from Numbers 22 about Balam and Balick and the "talking donkey". It is a great lesson for each of us to learn to heed God's voice and obey His commands. Isn't it ironic that it took a donkey to open the eyes of a man - sometimes we are just as stubborn as Balam and God uses a "donkey" to get our attention as well.

Noah was Balam - and Avery was the Angel of the Lord (Sword and all) I'm not sure whose idea it was to give that girl a sword. . . what were we thinking ! ! !

Daddy played the role of the talking Donkey.

If you have never read the story from Numbers 22 - please take some time this week and include it in your bible study. You can continue with the story of Balam and see how he later would destroy thousands and thousands of people through his false prophecy.

This was so much fun and I "think" through all the giggles they truly understood the importance of listening to God. I pray that each of us will take time this week and listen to God . . . where is He telling you to go (or not go). Balam saught God's advice, but he didn't heed his warnings. I pray that we are not like Balam. Have a wonderful week everyone - Lisa

Could it be . . . are they actually getting along.

I know it is hard to believe, but you are reading correctly - I have posted twice in two weeks ! ! ! ! Look at me - I'm on a roll.

Well I walked into Avery's room the other morning and this is what I saw . . . Noah and Avery sitting on the floor playing a game together - not fighting - not arguing - getting along in sibling love ! ! ! This is a true rarity in our house these days. I'm not sure why, but for some reason Noah and Avery have decided that speaking kindly and lovingly to one another is just not the "thing" to do anymore. So when they are actually getting along and even playing a game - what is a Mommy to do, but grab her camera and take a picture of the moment (for future reference and peace of mind).

Well when I got back to the room (just a few moments later mind you) this is what I saw. The ironic thing is the name of the game they were playing says it all "Trouble".

I know fits are not funny, but can I just say it is really hard not to get tickled at "Little Miss Pouty" sometimes. She hasn't realized yet that Noah doesn't pay any attention to her fits and sad face. He was just as happy sitting and playing by himself.

Well I'm off to finish picking up the

house before church tonight.

Have a great day everyone.

Lisa

A wonderful day . . .

Have you ever had those days when everything just flowed together and the day was full but GOOD? Well that is exactly what we had this past Saturday.

The day started with cards from my dear family and morning haircuts for the boys. Then off we went to meet Miss Patty downtown for Cider Days on Walnut Street. The kids got to eat Kettle Korn and roasted corn on the cob.

We then went to the History Museum on the square to see their train display. It was interesting walking through and looking at some of the old artifacts and pictures of a day long pass. Then we went to the square and took some pictures of the kids playing on the artwork and in the water fall. Next we were all hungry so we went to Box Car BBQ on Grant street for some BBQ and I must say that it was SOOOOOO Good ! ! !

We have wanted to go to Grant Peach park for awhile now, but have never made it over there, so we decided that it would be fun - so off we went. They have a real train that the kids can climb up into and play around in. There was the Engine, two cars, and a caboose. They had a blast checking everything out and of course ringing the bell.

To top everything off Bob took us to Dairy Queen for ice cream. There is nothing better than a peanut buster parfait with twist ice cream.

It is on days like this that God reminds me just how blessed I am to have a family like the one He has given to me. Thank you guys for making my Birthday so special. I love you all VERY much and thank God for you daily ! ! !

Have a great day everyone - Lisa

St. Louis Zoo Trip

Okay I know it has been ages since I updated our blog. My husband reminded me of that fact a few times already.

Well here are a few pictures of what we have been up to these past few weeks.

Bob and I went with Noah and his 3rd grade Sunday School class to the St. Louis Zoo. The kids did great - except for one little incident involving a Wal-Mart sack and a little girl in the back seat with Bob and I getting car sick . . . yeah - not a pretty picture ! ! !

But aside from that the kids all did really well and we had a wonderful day. We thought that it would rain on us the entire day, but we had beautiful sunny weather the entire day.

Of course Noah was thrilled because he actually had BOYS to hang out with. It was strange to experience him in this setting - where I was actually the "embarrassing mom" ! ! Can you believe it - me an embarrassing mom - now Bob I would understand, but me ! ! !

Of course we couldn't forget Noah's favorite animal . . . the crocodiles ! ! ! !

Have a great day everyone - Lisa

Apple Pie

Well Noah baked his first apple pie this week . . . and the little sticker's turned out to be the best one ever. We are reading a Bob Jones University Book called Pulling Together. In it the family has apple pie and milk for dinner one evening after lightning strikes their barn and catches it on fire. So we decided that it would be fun to make our own apple pie like in the story. We cheated just a little with the refrigerated pie crust - Can I just say that I will probably never make pie crust again. It is already rolled out for you - and it fits perfect no trimming or mess - nothing. I did promise Noah that we would make some cinnamon triangles - so I will probably make pie crust for that, but we'll see.

Have a good Thursday everyone.

Our Little Cinderella

I cannot believe that I forgot to post these photos. This is our very own little Avery-ella cleaning her room. She did a great job cleaning windows, mopping floors, washing the baseboards, and even cleaning out her closet. The funniest part is that she leaned out her window (no screens on yet) and started singing - because "that's what they do mom. They open the window and sing." I never thought of it before, but she was right. In almost all the Princess movies - someome is singing out a window.

Our hard work has paid off. A little cleaning here and there and a little moving around of the furniture and vola - a clean new room.

Our little princess tucked in for some much needed rest after a hard afternoon of work. Well I pray that each of you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend. I am looking forward to seeing my husband this weekend and spending some time together as a family.

Sac River Stable Trip

Sorry everyone a little tired today so just a short post and a few pictures of our weekend.

Noah and his Sunday school class took a trip to the Sac River Stables this past weekend. They had a great time. Each child got to ride a horse and then brush Lucy a little Shetland Pony. They also gave the kids a tour of the stables. They all had a wonderful time. And Yes . . . Avery did get to ride too (only because Daddy was there - Mommy said no way)

Have a great week everyone - Lisa