The Phifer Four Goes to School!!

This is just a quick update and a note for history ::

As of September 2010 ALL four of the Phifer four will be in school at the same time. Tyler will be entering 1st grade. Kailey will be in kindergarten. Troy will be a year and a half into his design degree. Then there is me, The Mommy: after a seven year hiatus I will be going back to school to finish mt AA degree!

Yes, it's official, so I thought I'd put it here for us all to remember.

Wish us luck!

Cheers,

Dear Tyler & Kailey, thank you...

Dearest children,
Thank you for the mani and pedi tonight. You two are fantabulous!

Love you to the moon and back,

Living Fearlessly :: My Mom

My mom, is one of my best friends. Our life lent itself towards that direction from the beginning - being as she was a single mom, raising a daughter, while growing and figuring herself out. We grew up together. We've taken many steps in our lives together. While many mother/daughter duos will find there steps growing farther apart, ours continue to remain close.

Recently, my mom [Vickie], has started a new adventure and I want to share it with you - be encouraged by it!!

Her adventure starts with the threat of losing a job she has had for years. As many people have experienced in our recent economy my mom's company started down-sizing and relocating the bulk of their employees. One of the facilities they lost was her building in the Puget Sound area. Thankfully, she was spared and given the opportunity to work from home. However, there has always been the looming possibility that the company may decide to no longer support tele-commuters. Can you imagine that anxiety?

Well, we all have options in life: be procavtive, reactive, or do nothing at all. My mom, decided to be proactive - I love that about her! She started researching different fields she could train and enter into. Eventually she found herself taking a few weekend courses in the medical field [hang on, people, it doesn't end here]. After all, medical professionals are an invaluable part of our country & there seems to always be a demand for their services.

After getting her feet wet in the medical field she found that while she enjoyed it, it wasn't her passion. She continued to evaluate what her calling was, what her gifts were, and what would fulfill life long dreams?

Within two weeks she had dropped her medical courses and found a new institute of learning: New York Fashion Academy, Seattle.

She is now fulfilling a life-long dream of wanting to design clothing! Already she has begun courses in Draping and Pattern Making. How great is that!? I would love to recognize God's gifting in my life and fearlessly take steps to bring them to fruition.

You can follow her journey at: http://infashionat50something.blogspot.com/

I love you, mom! I'm so proud of you discovering you dreams, gifts, and talents! Keep going, I can't wait to follow you on this journey.

Cheers,

Who Are We?

We are a family of four, living life together, in the Pacific NW. That's the short story...continue reading if you want to learn more.

The Daddy is a full time employee, student, daddy, & husband. Life is very busy for The Daddy right now. He is going to school full-time earning his AA in Visual Communications. That should be *cross your fingers* completed a year from now. Once that is complete he will be moving on to Video Game design - this is his passion! We are so proud of him for all the hard work he's doing to make a better life for our family.

I, The Mommy, am full time stay-at-home-mom that dabbles in a little bit of everything. I've found over the years that I'm good at a lot of things, but not great at any one thing. I'm currently training for multiple 5K's. This is a feat that I never thought I'd do - I'm SO NOT a runner. This year I'm planning on competing in 3 - 5K's and one 250 yard mud run. My goal is not to win, but to survive.

Together we have 2 children - Little-Man who is 6 and Baby-Girl who is 4.

Little-Man is in kindergarten this year and is loving it! He's inquisitive, funny, bright, charming, and kind. Little-man currently is into Jiu-Jitsu, Star Wars, Pokemon, and Transformers. He some day hopes to have his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and be an animal conservationist.

Baby-Girl (4) is 90% girly-girl and 10% rough and tumble. She's silly, outgoing, beautiful, and loving. Our girl is completely loving all things fashion, music, dance, and pink - yes, lots of pink. She is in Pre-K this year and is looking forward to Kindergarten next year so she can be at school everyday. Her aspirations are to be a wedding dress designer, singer, and ballerina.

As a family we celebrate our time together. Nothing makes us happier than the days that we can spend together sun up to sun down with a nap in between. No matter where we are or where we go, we are happy as long as we have each other.

~The Mommy of the Phifer Four

Looking Back on 2008

January:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Our first snow family built to ward off the winter blues.

February:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
The hubby and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary at the Rock City Grill.

March:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Easter egg hunting is done in the snow this year.

April:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
We are blessed with good weather and family starting to visit after a long winter.

May:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
After a long winter, the rivers rise and rise and rise....

June:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Birthdays are celebrated with friends.

July:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Look who's THREE!!

August:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
We travel to Boise, ID for the Phifer Family reunion.

September:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Look who's starting school! Time flies...

October:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Finally FIVE - he was so excited!

November:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
This year we celebrated Thanksgivingmas, since we weren't going to see family over Christmas.

December:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
December has been spent digging out of record snow, spending time with friends, and celebrating Jesus' birthday!

An Update

Good evening friends, family, and acquaintances!

I was reminded my a dear blogger friend that it's been nearly a month since I last posted. While I've stayed current on reading all of my friends' blogs, I've neglected mine yet again.

Let's see where to begin...

Weight watchers is going okay. I'm currently at a total loss of 5.4lbs or so. Honestly, I wish it were more. It's coming off, though, that's truly what matters. My friend, Michelle, and I have also been going to the gym. It's been good to get exercise. We've set a goal to lose 10% of our (own) body weight by Valentine's Day. After that I hope to do Bloomsday. In the 4.5 years that we've lived here in I've never done it. It's just over 7 miles - at a brisk walk I know I can do it!

Thanksgiving was lovely. My parents came over from the west side of the mountains. We actually celebrated "Thanksgivingmas" since we won't be seeing them for Christmas this year. It was good food, good fun, and good company. We are very sad to not be around family this holiday, but it's the safest thing for our family with the condition of the passes unpredictable.

My life is also kept busy with working (9-12 hours a week), serving at the coffee bar, leading a knitting group, shuttling Little Man to and from school 2 times a week, and attending a parenting class on Thursdays.

Life is crazy, but it's our life - beautifully chaotic.

How are you?

This week I'd like to highlight my wonderful husband. We've been through thick and thin in the last 6+ years. Yet, through it all he has stayed faithfully by my side every step of the way. He loves me unconditionally. He is one of the many blessings God has given me.

I am thankful that:
1. He chose me and he continues to choose me each and every day.
2. He is a loving, kind, and devoted father. The kids love their daddy and are secure in knowing how much he loves them in return.
3. He works hard, so that I am able to stay home with the kids. What a blessing it is to stay home and watch my kids grow.
4. He loves God - with all his heart.
5. He lets me sleep in every weekend.
6. He recognizes the value of my friendships and is willing to let me go have a cup of coffee with my girlfriends anytime.
7. He's not afreaid to help around the house - my man can cook, do laundry, and take out trash with the best!
8. He's always been okay with me persuing employment outside of the house - every so often I feel the need to contribute financially and lets face it - get some adult contact!
9. He puts up with all my crafty chaos.
10. He is a talented writer & artist - I hope someday he follows his dreams of being published.

I love you, Troy! Thanks, again, for choosing me...

Thankful,

What You Think You Know

It amazing how sometimes the things you think you know are so very far from the truth...

Yesterday I thought I knew what Miss K was doing while I was working on a few chores. I thought she was in the office with her brother watching him play games on the computer. This was far from the truth.

A few minutes into vacuuming she came out to ask if "I liked her hair?" At first, in my busyness, I didn't notice - then I did a double take - my heart sank into the pit of my stomach. Miss K, while in the office, had found a pair of scissors. With the weapon-of-mass-destruction she attacked her hair. That's right, she cut her long, beautiful, blonde, locks. She bobbed the sides right off.

She was sent to her room, while I cooled down. She was so proud, yet I was so upset. While logic told me that it was going to be alright - almost every kid has done this & it WILL grow back - my emotion got the best of me. I was devistated. The tears began to flow. I called friends and family to seek affirmation that it was in deed going to be okay.

Once I was calmed down it was off to the hair dresser. It needed to be fixed. The good news was that she had what would normally be "bangs" pulled back into a ponytail. The cut she gave herself wasn't as much of a hack job as some horror stories I've heard. So, although we had to bob off the rest of her hair, we were not forced to cut bangs as well. Now, our little girl looks older with this more mature haircut. I have to admit, she DOES look pretty cute.

Moral of the Story: You don't always know what you think you know OR make sure scissors are always properly put away.

Still a little sad,

Top 10 Reasons My Mom is Awesome!

10. My mom is an open book to me. She has shared so many stories, from past and present, that I don't think other mom's would share with their daughters.
9. She drives a car (Mitsubishi Eclipes) that most 20-somethings would be envious of and rocks out loud on her Rockford Fosgate.
8. Although happily married now, worked hard a majority of her life as a single mom to make sure I was taken care of.
7. Is beautiful - inside and out.
6. Can laugh with me about the most insane things - I'm pretty sure my dad and husband thing WE'RE insane.
5. Is giving - emotionally, physically, spiritually...
4. Will still let me curl up next to her while watching a movie. If I could still fit behind her knees I'm sure I would.
3. Finds time to talk to me nearly everyday, which when living hundreds of miles apart is priceless.
2. She is proud of me and lets me know it - I never have to question it.
1. She loves me and my family, endlessly. She adores her grandchildren and has welcomed her son-in-law to the family with open arms. Her love overflows.

Momma, I love you to the moon and back!!

Love,

Good-bye Diego...

...hello, Tranformers!

Our little man is growing up SO fast. It seems like just days ago everything was about Go Diego Go! Now, all our little man can think of are Transformers.

In fact, I've been going through our house looking for items for an upcoming yard sale (I'm up to 6 garbages worth and 3 boxes). While sitting at dinner last night Tyler asked, "what is a yard sale?" We explained that from time to time people have yard sales to sell their items that they no longer need to purge, declutter and possibly make money to buy something they really want. By the end of the discussion he had volunteered to sell all of his Go Diego Go toys in order to purchase new Transformers.


He's no longer a baby or even a toddler. He is now a genuine "Big Boy". I can no longer shop the in the toddler department when shopping for clothes for him. He's constantly on the hunt for things that are "cool". He takes showers instead of baths. He plays video games with great knowledge of everything. He rides a two-wheel bike. The list goes on and on.


Oh, how I cherish the moments he still lets me craddle him and kiss on him. Those moments don't happen often, but when they do....it's like heaven.

Tyler, babe, I love you with all my heart. Don't grow up too fast, okay?

5 Years....my how the time goes by!

I'm 10 days late in posting this. Troy and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on the 23rd of this month. We are both amazed at how quickly the time has gone by. In 5 years so much has happened. It's hard to even wrap our brains around what the next 5, 10, or 15 years will hold!

In 5 years we've:

* Moved 5 times.

* Aquired 4 animals (2 cats, 2 dogs).

* Lived in Spokane 3 years.

* Had 2 amazing children!

* Bought 1 house.

There are so many things that fill in the spaces between those 5 things listed that there would be now way to put them in one post. I can tell you this, the last 5 years have been some of the best years of my life. God has blessed me more than I feel I sometimes deserve. I've got a wonderful husband. Bright, beautiful, and creative children. A house that becomes more of a home everyday. And friends that are priceless. There really isn't much more I could ask for in life.

Troy, my love, thank you for the last 5 wonderful years! I look forward to the years ahead and what God has in store for us. You are a true blessing in my life and I know that there is no better man for me. I love you to the moon and back!

Finally Friday or 14 Days Until Troy's Vacation

Let's see....first an explaination as to why I haven't been posting. It's cold and flu season. Yippee! Tyler started it. He had a good case of croup. Poor guy. It was not fun [then again, when is being sick ever fun?]. He ran a pretty good temp and had the classic symptom of croup- a nasty, barky cough. He would get into such cough fitting it would make him lose his breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Thankfully he was diagnosed and treated pretty quickly. Once he got on his meds things cleared up pretty quickly.

Then there is Kailey. Miss K has not been herself for a couple weeks now. Our guess was that she was cutting her two year molars and, well, being two. After finally breaking her fever, but still being unusually cranky she delevoped a head to toe rash. We took her into the doctor and she has Strep Throat. My poor babe. Strep is awful, I know, it's no wonder she has been her chipper self.

As for Troy and I well, we've suffered from sniffles, tummy aches, and lack of sleep, but nothing compared to that of our children. Now that everyone is medicated and/or better I hope that I can start contributing to this blog more. I need to figure out how to get more hits on my site. Right now, I'm averaging about 5 a day. Oh well, I suppose a good start would be A) staying healthy so that I can write more, and B) having something interesting to write about.

Cheers!
{Andrea}

10 Things...

In an email coresspondence with a friend she listed 10 things she was greatful for. I thought, wow, I too need to count my blessings. So, here I am to share with you all 10 Things I Am Greatful For:

* I have a husband that, even after five years of marriage and learning all my quirks, still loves me and lets me know it!
* My children are creative, intellegent, kind, adventurous, loving, happy, resourceful, and love God as much as Troy and I do.
* Despite the frozen tundra outside, it's warm inside our little, happy home.
* I get to go "home" for the holidays.
* We have made friends here in Spokane that are now are "family."
* This year, my husband has snow tires, so I don't have to worry about him getting safely to and from work.
* The snow didn't start falling until the end of November - last year it started at the end of October.
* I've come to a peace agreement with my sewing machine and can actually put the darn thing to use.
* May kids get three meals a day - more than a lot of people in this world can say.
* Tyler says at least one thing a day that makes me laugh.

Happy Birthday, Troy!

Troy, Happy Birthday!

May this be another wonderful year, full of God's perfect blessings.

I love you!

Happy Fall Everyone!

Is it fall where you are? I get various reports from people across the country. Some are still in shorts and tank tops, while other (like us) are purchasing winter jackets and hot chocolate. Here in Spokane we don't ease into seasons. When we lived in the Seattle area all the seasons kind of melted into one another. Here it's 90 degrees one day and 55 the next. If you don't believe me just look at our dropshots account, you will see the kids in swimsuits, shorts, and skirts one day and in the same week bundled in rain gear and hats.

We enjoy fall. Pumpkins. Falling leaves. Warm food. Hot chocolate/apple cider. The kids and I have been busy making a few decorations. Tyler enjoyed making a jack o' lanter windsock one day. Two days ago I made spiders the kids could play with out of egg carton and pipe cleaners. They are constantly asking for another project. Anyone have any good ideas? What are you doing to welcome in fall?

Our newest neice/cousin was born yesterday. Phoenix Kelly. Welcome to the world little one! We can't wait to meet you. She was born at OHSU at about 7:30. According to reports she was 6lbs 13oz with a full head of dark hair. Cory, we just know that you are going to be an awesome daddy! Brittney, although we have yet to meet - I know you are going to be a great mommy! Hopefully we'll see you three over the holidays.

That's all for now - hope you are being blessed with all the beauty fall has to offer where you are at.