New Year with the Triggs

Lucas

2012-02-08T19:40:00.000-08:00

Showing off how many teeth he's lost.

Enjoying his time at Safeco Field during Fan Fest for the Mariners.

Learning to ski

So happy to be in the snow again.

Lucas is my favorite boy in the world. I love watching find new things he loves. This last year, he fell in love with baseball. This last month he tried skiing with Ted. Well, he loved it. We really thought he wouldn't like it but he did and he was great at. I love that he and Ted found something they really like and can do together.

Getting a little stir crazy

2012-01-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

Ted's 2nd day off school and Lucas' 1st. Tomorrow is already called a snow day for both. And we will see if I'm off work too. Enjoying the beauty of snow but ready to get moving a little bit.

Lovely ladies.......

2012-01-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

We were some of the lucky ones that got to celebrate with friends Rachel and Phil at their very fun wedding. I love seeing when a friend finds someone that was made just for her. We got to enjoy the night of many activites and fun stories. Nora with friend Coco entertained during the "social hour" up on stage.

We're grandparents!

2012-01-09T20:19:00.000-08:00

Nora fell asleep with something stuffed up her shirt. She's been doing that a lot lately...saying she's going to have a baby with some animal or baby up her shirt. But tonight, she stuffed something up there and then fell asleep.

Poof - our grandbaby. How easy is that??

A star is born...

2011-12-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

Nora's adoring fan
First tap performance

Before her performance

Thanksgiving with Family

2011-12-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

The cousins on the couch.

We spent the actual day of Thanksgiving with our wonderful friends the Fabs and had a great day. They are truly like family and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. The saturday after Thanksgiving we spent with my brothers family at my mom's to celebrate again. Below are some pictures of the evening.

Lucas with his best buddy
Nora loves to play with cousin Claire

Uncle Chris virtually tickling Lucas. He wasn't even touching Lucas' feet and Lucas was laughing so hard.

My oldest nephew Jack is so great with the kids. Very gentle and kind.

We are blessed to have so many friends that are like family and our own family to celebrate with. We are grateful for all of them.

Halloween..

2011-11-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Lucas was a vampire on Halloween night. We sprayed his hair black and white powder on his face.

His first victim, she looks pretty happy about it.

The Saturday night before was the carnival at his school and no "scary" costumes were allowed so he was a baseball player, of course.

Another year at The Farm...

2011-10-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

Ted and I started going to this pumpkin farm our first year dating and have gone back every year except one or two. It's fun because it gets more kid friendly ever year. And our kids want to do more things. It's out in Snohomish near Ted's school so we drive into this little old down town and have gotten pizza for the last 2 years which we decided to add to our tradition. Lucas was super excited because the pizza place had tv and the playoffs were on. He's a super big baseball fan. Not just loves playing it but learning about all the baseball heroes of old and now.

Nora is our animal lover and even though she's holding a kitten she really wants a dog. We are thinking about it but trying to figure out where we will live next year.

First School Project

2011-10-09T17:03:00.001-07:00

Lucas' class is doing the solar system this month. He was given a list of neat projects to choose from and he choice this one. He begrudgingly worked on it a little bit a fews days during this last week. It's due tomorrow. As he finished it he became so proud of it even though he hated giving up his play time to do it. Although some of his classmates will have nicer, neater ones because their parents practically did it for them, Lucas' will be his own that he did. And I'm proud of him for that.

First Day of First Grade

2011-09-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

"First grade is awesome!" was the first thing Lucas said after his first day. Although, the next morning he stated school days were to long to be away from the family. He does like to be with us, which I need to treasure now because it won't be like that for long. Or it might be the fact he was to play the Wii at home.

Ted started the same day too. 2nd year as the music teacher at Emerson Elementary in Snohomish. Going pretty good so far. Got a picture of Nora that day too. Can't ever forget our girl, she won't let you if you try!

Franklin Falls redo

2011-09-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Our friends too our kids on a hike. They were proud to boast that they didn't complain on it. Anyway, we saw their pictures and decided to take the kids again (to hear that no whining thing they were talking about mostly). We all had fun and we all didn't complain. What a great end of summer vacation activity. We do have some great kids!

Catching up some...

2011-08-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Ted has been such a great dad this summer. I've been working fulltime or more and he has been watching the kids, planning outings, fixing meals and all the wonderful things he does. Quite impressive, he's a better parent than me, I must say. We had a busy summer. August- we went to the Oregon Coast and then to a fair with close friends. Nora did gymnastics, Lucas started his soccer team and then had soccer camp. Both played and played with each other and good friends. I've missed a lot working so much but knowing they are in good hands.

School starts in a week and 1/2, I can't believe my 2 boys will be off to school again. One more year with Nora before she enters the world of elementary. What a blessing my family is. Ted and I say over and over again that we have such great kids!

Sayings of the Wise

2011-07-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

Last week we took a trip to Eastern Washington and spent three days with our friends Ben and Sharla and their kids and Phil and Rachel at a great cabin overlooking Lake Roosevelt. It was a great time for all with good food, fun times at the lake, fireworks, star gazing and playing games all day.

Here's Nora and me in the inflatable boat. Ben and I pushed the kids back and forth in it to each other.

Water battles with spray guns happened quite often.

All the kids played in the sand.

Lucas loved climbing the sand hill.

On the way home, Nora fell asleep in the car. When she woke up, she muttered (in the style of Alladin) "who disturbs my slumber?"

That night we went to the fireworks in Edmonds. The kids loved them and Nora didn't even use her earplugs. After they were done, Nora yelled, "Thanks for coming! Bye, bye!"

The 5th was our anniversary (8 years!) and the kids spent the day at the Roe's. When we picked them up we kept asking what they had done all day. Finally, Lucas had enough and said, "what else do you think we did? Pick chicken plants?"

Summer is upon us in full swing....

Happy Birthday Grandma!

2011-06-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Nora's Graduation...the first one...

2011-06-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Nora's preschool does graduation every year even if the kids are going back to that preschool the following year. Lucas went to this preschool and we love it. They teachers are awesome.

And every year it's a hawaiian theme graduation. Nora is a great little student. A lot of her teachers have told me what a great listener and good helper she is. We are proud of Nora and the great little girl that she is becoming!Nora with her godmother and godsister. Nora with the family.

Nora with her loving brother!

Win a photo shoot with a great photographer!

2011-06-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

http://pipermoorephotography.blogspot.com
Check out this photographer and how you can win a photo shoot with her.

Field Day

2011-06-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Remember the 3 legged race or the potato sack race? The orange drink that will always remind you of that day if you taste or even smell it. I'm pretty sure that's not legal to give kids anymore.

Lucas running the 50 meters, wearing his flaming converse.

Lucas doing the baseball throw

Lucas had his first field day today. It's a little different at King's. First of all 6th graders are in charge of running it while being overseen by the PE teacher Mr. Berg. They were awesome. Kept it all under control and very encouraging to all the kids. I was quite impressed with them all. They split the girls and boys up for competition which is great idea. But they didn't have the 3 legged race or potato sack race. Bummer.

With some of his buddies at school

Lucas was awesome though. He's a fast little kid. He came in 2nd in both his races (the 50 and 400 meter). Yes, he ran the whole way around the track. I'm pretty sure he was 2nd in the baseball toss too but they don't give out ribbons so I'm not sure. Well, they give out participation ribbons but I got him a 2nd place medal anyway.

Lucas doing the long jump

2011-05-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

Our blest life is crazy but we have so much to be grateful for and a lot of great people to surround us. Lucas has 10 days of school left. Crazy huh? I can't believe that I will have a 1st grader. Teacher is winding down his 1st year of teaching. It's been super hard but they love him there and I think he does an excellent job. Nora has a few days of school left too. The kids are gearing up for a summer full of baseball and gymnastics, 3 different VBS groups, and we are going on 3 road trips. And a lot of time with Daddy since I will be working a lot. Good thing they have such a fabulous dad.

Ted directing his 6th grade concert
Lucas' AWESOME Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Uhrich, at his first soccer game.

Our beautiful girl!

(yes, that is sun shining on Nora, can you believe it?)

Lucas running for vice president...oh no, no, no going up to sing in his first concert for school.

Our wild weekend

2011-05-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Mommy was away in Phoenix this weekend for the wedding of her dear friend Becky and celebrated with my other college best friend Trish. Lots of fun!
Taking a hike today. Lucas pulled this move on Nora.

I got in this morning at 9:15 after a long night of waiting for traveling (I had 1 hour of sleep)

Nora with her main man.

Ted got to go on a field trip with Lucas this last week to the zoo.

Catching up one more time...our computer is back (3rd time)

2011-04-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Lucas at Jedi Training Academy

enjoying sibling time

Nora starting soccer

Lucas playing basketball with friend while in bat capes

Lucas starting spring soccer

Ted enjoying the warm weather at soccer practice

Green breakfast for st patty's day

Egg Hunt in the Backyard

Almost every evening our neighborhood 6 year olds come and play baseball in our culde sac

Nora looking beautiful on Easter

We've been down for a while...our hard drive was out

2011-03-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Nora turning 4, with Coco
With Daddy

She wanted princesses on her cake

With godsisters

2011-02-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

Have a SUPER Vader (oh I mean Valentines) day!

We finally got our hard drive back. We are back in the blogging business!

After Christmas Mirth

2011-01-01T10:18:00.001-08:00

Mommy with pneumonia
cuddling with Scooter

Lucas learning the Force
we have a lot of these type of pictures

Lucas learning checkers and beating dad at it

Nora wearing her new hair tie from Ben and Sharla

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Our traditional Trigg Family Christmas video didn't get onto my to do list so here's our family holiday photo with our new dog, Scooter. We hope that this Christmas brings you true hope and much love.

Love,

Ted, Ruth, Lucas and Nora

He did it!

2010-12-09T18:40:00.000-08:00

So you can actually see his permanent teeth coming in behind his loose teeth but he's been dreading actually pulling them out. I helped a little by pulling it all the way forward and it started to bleed and then it just came out. He freaked out and now doesn't like to talk about it. He keeps saying to me "Stop talking about it" because the one right next to it is just as loose. But at least he lost his first tooth, might not have like it but I think deep down he thinks it's prety cool.

A few things in this crazy household...

2010-12-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

Lucas playing Pretty Pretty Princess with Nora (he actually loves the game)
Meet our Christmas tree named Tom (no we haven't named our tree before)

This is our 1980's TV that got replace today by a 1990's TV that has more input plugs (Nora named the new TV KiKi)

This is the great job Ted did on the lights (most of them are from our neighbor)

This is what I came home to today...

2010-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

Lucas on the roof!

Superheroes to the rescue

2010-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

We had another great Halloween with the Fabs down in Vancouver. Thank you Fabs!

Nora's First Year as a Superhero

Lucas' 3rd year as a superhero.

I love my super man in the first picture too even though he looks a little camera shocked.

Our Weekend....

2010-10-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

Lucas' soccer game
And the newest member of our family....Scooter!

Fall

2010-10-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

Lucas throwing in at his first soccer game in the rain. He's got a great coach, there to the left of the picture, Kory. So thankful for him and his great coaching and love for our kids. Nora at the Pumpkin Farm loving the animals. She is our animal lover. She could have just sat there all day petting animals. I'm thankful that my kids are so different that we get a taste of who they are through pictures.
Thankful for a sunny day yesterday (the weatherman said it was suppose to rain). We had a great day at a friends on Whidbey Island. Then met dad at the pumpkin farm. We've been coming here for at least 4 years. The kids don't want to even try a different one.

A cool shot of Lucas going down these slides made of huge piping. What fun to be parents. I'm thankful for the gift.

Today we watched Stuart Little and at the end Lucas just started crying and crying. He said he just loved us so much. He will look at me at different times on different days and just say,
"I'm going to start crying again because I love you so much." Our tenderhearted boy, just like his dad. Although Ted doesn't do that (maybe he should - ha ha). I'm thankful for my boys that love so much and so well.

Catching up....

2010-10-02T16:36:00.000-07:00

We finally got our computer. Catching up on pictures and events.

Soccer started for Lucas. He scored a goal today in his first game.

Nora started ballet

Lucas turned six

Got to have a cute picture of the kids in the blog.

First overnighter in the tent in the living room. Fell alseep late and got up early. Naturally, for a first overnighter. And they got to watch Superman (the one with Christopher Reeves - he was my heart-throb in junior high).

A busy fall for us. New schools for Ted, Lucas and Nora. Trying to schedule life for me, I don't know how moms do it that have more kids.

Got to fly to make dinner!

What's up with this blog?

2010-09-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

Well, our computer went crazy with some kind of virus so my co-worker's husband who works with computers (paid under the table-should tell you what's coming next) and he gave us a used computer that he reprogramed. But we shouldn't do updates or tell anyone where we got it. There are definite signs that this is a "different" computer. I can't upload pictures to our blog and the search boxes on a lot of the websites are tiny (very tiny- where I can't even read what I'm typing in).
So we are saving up for a "legit" computer. We are hoping to get it soon. We've got to wait until we know what's Ted's new salary is, yes we still don't know what he will be paid.

Lucas' first day of Kindergarten went well. He loves recess and doesn't like sitting down so much. He's attached himself to some rough boys that I'm hoping he has a good influence on and/or he finds some other friends to add to the current list of friends. He loves his teacher.

Ted's first day of school was today. He was super tired tonight, more so than Lucas on his first day of school. He said that it went well but doesn't know what to do with all the whispering and chatting going on. But he enjoyed and I think he will make a FABULOUS teacher.

Well, sorry there's no pictures. We have taken some great ones lately. Hopefully soon!

It's the little things...

2010-08-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

I watched my bid for days. No one else had found this beauty. I don't do ebay a lot but sometime I find some winners. The minutes passed and I WON!

Lucas is totally into super heroes. And I found this on ebay and I paid $25 including shipping. He will get 17 action figures plus a super hero training center. Oh my, he's going to go NUTS.

Now I have to hold my excitement in for a month since his birthday is a month away from today. I can't believe I'll have a 6 year old!

Church Dress

2010-08-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

The kids and I are in lingerie section to get a "nightie" for a girlfriend's personal shower. Lucas and Nora, of course, are running around looking at all the pretty "dresses".

Lucas - Mom, I found a pretty dress for you.

Me - Oh.

Lucas - Mom, this would be beautiful on you.

Ladie next to us - giggling

Lucas - Mom, this would be great for church.

Ladie next to us - more giggling

Lucas - Mom, God would love this on you.

Hat Show....It was Nora's idea

2010-08-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Lord, bless this house....

2010-08-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

So we were going to put the house on the market so we got some work down on it. Nothing major(except a new roof). We painted almost everything, I installed a new light fixture (very proud of that), new tile around the fireplace, new wall paper in the kitchen plus fixing the broken seal on the glass door in there too. Some other small things. We decided not to sell it since our real estate agent kept coming back with lower and lower numbers.

So then we decided to rent it out. We would move into mom's. I was just looking through craigslist to see how much houses are being rented for and I found someone looking for a house in MLT. Well, in the end the deal fell through. So we decided we are just going to stay put until God literally moves us (or doesn't).

But it's nice to have a few things done on the house to make it more "homey". I do love our little house. We love the location and our neighbors. We might out grow it but it's great for now. The yard is big but more running space right? Maybe we will raise some chickens!

Direction....where are you?

2010-07-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

Weekend at the Wahlmans

2010-07-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

Our friends every year encourage us to join them at their cabin in Black Diamond on Lake Sawyer. They treat us to great accomodations, fabulous food, good conversation and tubing, of course. Nora DOES NOT like the boat and so she doesn't go out on the water. We got her to actually dip into the hot tub this time. Lucas gets more and more brave every year. Maybe next year he will try skiing!

Confessions

2010-07-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

We've been yelling at our kids too much. Partly because they don't obey when we expect them too but mostly because we are stressed about our life situation. Last night and this morning we listened to a mom yell and spank her kids. They are our back neighbors. I don't think she is abusing them physically but she yells, they cry, she shouts for them to stop crying, they cry some more. It breaks my heart and Ted says "that is what we sound like".

So I wake up this morning to Nora crawling into bed with me (remember she's the one that drives me crazy with her whining) and we snuggle. What a great way to wake up.

This reminds me that our children are a gift from God. A wonderful gift, one that doesn't need to be yelled at. So we start a new day and try not to let our stress be expressed through yelling at those that need our love and soft voice.

They are great kids. And our time with them will go so fast and I need to grab unto the times they want to be with us. Because soon they won't want to be.

God blesses us over and over again. We decided to rent the house out instead of selling. I found a man with 2 kids that needs a house and he loves ours. We do have to do the credit check and such but hey, what a great house for him to get, with cowboy wallpaper and all. We are healthy. We are paying our bills. We are together!

Happy 5th of July!

2010-07-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today, Ted and I celebrate our 7th anniversary. I'm so blessed with a fabulous husband and a awesome dad to our kids. Yesterday we went to the Edmonds 4th of July Parade. Lucas loved it, Nora not so much. But they did love the red water fountain.
The kids got dropped off at their godparents house and Ted and I enjoyed a dinner alone and then went to watch the fireworks in Edmonds. First time in years.
Now just waiting for the weather to change in Seattle!

Cannon Beach

2010-07-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

You won't believe from these pictures, but I was really there! We had a great time with our friends the Fabs at Cannon Beach. The kids were in Heaven being with their best buds Rayna and Lucas. The weather was great. We had fun digging in the sand and looking at starfish. We also got to watch Wizard of Oz when it drizzled outside. S'mores over the gas stove. So many good memories and fun times. Thanks Fabs!

A day of Firsts for Lucas

2010-06-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

Lucas learned to ride his bike without training wheel today. He was super scared but enticed with a chance to watch a little bit of a movie he said he would try. He's been ready for a few months but we said we would wait til summer since he was so hesitant. It took one try and he was hooked. And then he rode his bike for an hour. He still needs to work on getting on and stopping himself but he loves it. His little buddy next door saw him and got sooo jealous that he came out and gave it a try. He didn't succeed but that's ok, he's basically a master pianist at the age of 5. I told Lucas everyone has something that they are good at.
He also tried and succeeded in crossing the monkey bars at church today. He took a spill the first time which gave him a bloody palm but once he got his band aid, he did it again and no spills that time.

No ladies and gentlemen, it's not Dean Martin with glasses

2010-06-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

Ted's last concert with Mountlake Terrace High School Band was tonight. He conducted half the pieces played. He did such a good job but did look like Dan Martin with that bow tie. The kids whooped and cheered for him, which I think means they like him, right? So our adventure with student teaching comes to end tomorrow.

And honestly, I'm crabby. Being in the midst of waiting for direction and provision, isn't really fun for me. Job leads are scarce, some opportunities are cut or someone else gets hired. It's just plain sucks.

We are moving in with my mom at the end of this month to put the house up for sale. But who knows if the house will sell. Frustration.

But then a friend emails and her husband has lymphoma. They have 2 young kids and I have my health. I have a place to move to when our house sells. I have a great husband and fabulous kids and not matter what, we'll be together (unless Ted needs to teach in China, a joke people - I hope). We have food on the table (more than most of the world). We have good friends and a couple of good churches that we are involved in. We have it good.

The Lord will provide in his timing not mine. I have to remember that. He's always taken care of me. I need to remember the bounty of God's grace and extend some to my unemployed husband who doesn't necessarily go after jobs like I do.

Our weekend

2010-05-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

We had a fun weekend. The kids started their next round of swim lessons. Lucas was super nervous and worked himself into a fit and held back some. But by the end he was all smiles and proud of himself. Nora blossomed and did well on her own in her own class.

Later that day we got to have Coco stay with us for the evening and boy, did the kids love that. Today (Sunday) Ted sang with an ensemble at church since he had left his job there. He like singing with the group but not getting up early and biking there in the rain. It's soooo nice to go to church together. LOVE IT!

Tonight, we had some other friends with their girls over. I love have Matthew and Erica over. They have a strong willed 4 year girl and I feel vindicated when chatting with Erica because I don't feel like I'm the only mom out there with a strong willed child. I feel like I'm not the bad guy (mom), that I'm not just imagining her fits and daily struggles liking my daughter. In the end I feel encouraged.

We had a good weekend and now onto another week of craziness with Ted and his internship. We are half way through. Most of his classmates will be done way before him but his mentor teacher is having him work through the end of the school year. Can't wait for June 21st!

The worry has set in...

2010-04-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

It's the end of April. I know- a long time since my last blog. It seems so much busier now that Ted is working a full work week instead of his patchwork work schedule at the church. I feel like I'm taking care of much more of the household stuff just because he needs to focus much more on this internship. Not a poor reflection on Ted because this high school band stuff is time consuming. And I feel like I'm supporting him more by doing that stuff.

My worry level is increasing as April ends and May nears with news of layoffs and cuts in education, usually in the Arts. I think about what can be cut out of our budget so that we can save and I admit my spending has been silly at times in the last couple of months and I need to really get serious about this budget stuff.

We've decided not to put the house on the market. We just feel that God told us to wait or hold off. I feel better when both of feel that way instead of just me. So God must be up to something, right? I don't know if it's a job though. It might be a time of want and uncertainty instead of a job and stability.

So we will see what the Lord has in the game plan. Ted is definitely trying his hardest. He has a lot of afterschool on the weekend events that he has to do beside all the teaching during the day stuff. I know he will make a great teacher!

Happy 3rd Birthday Nora!

2010-03-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

Today starts off our birthday week here at the Triggs. Nora is today, I'm tomorrow and then Ted's is on Friday. Always fun this week. Today Nora had her first really party. Just some little girlfriends and their mommies. It was nice and small. Loved it!
Nora loves this party dress!

I can definitely say I fall in love with Nora more and more over the years. We had a rough start and it's been hard for me not having an adoring relationship like I had with Lucas but Nora and I are definitely developing a deeper relationship. She is quite the mommy's girl so that might be some of it too. We will definitely bump heads in the future. But I'm really enjoying her giggles and funny sayings like "Nut know" for "I don't know". And "Where you are" for Where are you".

Nora's new birthday bike!

Ted and I are noticing that our kids are somewhat innocent compared to other kids their age, which we like. They will have the rest of their lives to grow up and it's nice to just be a kid for a while (for as long as you can I say).

Nora loves to be with her friends. Both of our kids do. We have been blessed with good friends that have good kids.

Thanks to all our friends that shower our kids with love!

It starts tomorrow....

2010-02-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, Ted starts his internship. He's nervous. I know he will do great at it. No doubt about it. I'm more nervous about the finding a job part. But God is good and will give us what we need. I did end up buying a couple of sleepers for Nora in the beginning of February from the Goodwill but then right after that was given sleepers and nighties for her by a faithful friend. (See I didn't need to BUY anything).

Lucas with his godsister, Paula, before going on Thunder Mountain.
Nora with her godmother, Holly, on the Tea Cups.

We got back from Disneyland last night and had a great time. It was nice to get away for a bit before the internship begins. I think about the summer and doing trips with no funds to fund them and God has already provided 2 small get aways. Our friends invited us to the beach for a few days and then our other friends always encourage us to stay at their cabin on a lake for a few days every summer. How great is that. He's already planning our summer vacation.

Letting God provide is hard for me because I want to control when and what he gives. But it's always so much better receiving his gifts instead of dictating what I want. He usually wins anyways. Receiving is hard for me and trusting that God will provide. Which is strange since I've had a life of constant blessing.

So here we go, our house goes on the market in April/May. We are on a very limited income and have some home improvements to do before the house goes on sale. We trust He will provide and He will.

It's February!

2010-02-05T21:01:00.001-08:00

We have a busy February. Ted job is done on February 17th and life of really minimizing begins. We are blessed to go on one last hurrah! before Ted's student teaching begins. We are going to Disneyland and will be joined by the kids' godparents and godsister. We looking forward to it.
I did make it through the month of January without buying clothes for our family. And I asked some girlfriends for some hand-me-downs for Nora and received bags and bags. Nora was so cute with every bagful she just would go through all of them and try them all on. She defintiely loves clothes.
We start our very tight budget the end of this month and I'm really trying to decide about our tithing. We are reducing it some due to the lack of Ted's income but Ted wants to keep the same amounts going to our "charities". I want to because I don't want to reduce those that depend on it but nervous about having less money to depend on. Ted just said "Let's just see God provide." I know we aren't suppose to talk about our tithing with others but I just want to share so that others can see what God will do. A little nervous but we will see!
2 stories: When my dad had his stroke in 1997 he was forced to retire but one of his joys out of all of it was that he could still support all his missionaries and organizations that he could before, even though his salary went down. What a testamony to me to see how excited he was that he could still do that.
The other story is about George Muller, a english missionary who opened many orphanages without asking for a thing. He just let God supply all his needs. I acutally only know a little about him through Veggie Tales. I really need to read his biography.
So I'm going to keep our giving the same...and see what happens.

The Provision Project

2010-01-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

Tonight I put a sign above our kitchen door that states: Abundant Blessings. My life has really been one blessing after another. I cried all my 25th birthday because I was one of my only friends that wasn't married and then the Lord gave me Ted and I was married by 30 and two kids by 35 ( I know you can't believe I'm that old, me either for that fact). But I got to travel with a wonderful friend between 25 and 30 to places I probably wouldn't have gone otherwise. Again and again God blesses me. I hope you can say the same.
This year is going to be crazy. Ted has a month left at his job of 8 years. He quit (yes, in a recession he quit) and will be doing student teaching and then a summer as a stay at home dad. So no greater income for at least 6 month. Praying for a job for him right now as a music teacher. I decided before the new year that I wouldn't buy clothes for any of us for the whole year, which I promptly broke and bought slippers for Ted on New Years Day, but nothing since - Promise. But my idea grew into a bigger project if you will and I decided to watch God's provision this year with so many things to come.
Have you seen the movie Julie and Julia? About a woman who does a blog about cooking through Julia Child's cookbook (the first one). It was cute and based on a true story. It made me want to do a blog on something bigger than just our day to day life so I'm doing our blog on The Provision Project. Hope you will join me and see what the Lord blesses us with this year. (Hoping for a big tax return)!
We really aren't in need of anything. But this last week I was depressed and quite blue. My job is changing from serving members to sales (hate it) and the stress is making me make errors which causes stress which makes me make more errors. So I emailed out to some friends for prayer and got it. I loooovvvee girlfriends. They are so faithful. I feel so much better know. And trusting God with my job. God provided me with great friends all over the country. I love it. Thank you God for women who I know I can count on and I didn't even e-mail all that I could. See blessings and blessings. They never stop.
Ok, enough for the first blog of the year. Oh, I thought of something I need...I need to stop eating these great cookies I made. I mean really, my eating is a little crazy lately so you could pray for that.
Here's to a wonderful year!

Last Entry of the Year

2009-12-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

Wow! 2009 was a very busy year for us with school for everyone but me, haha! We had a good year and a very blessed year. Filled with adventures and wonderful friends. To the right is Lucas with Noah, his neighborhood buddy. And below Nora with Daddy at her school christmas program.
2010 will be another adventure. We are done at Bethany in 2 months and Ted will start his internship March 1st at a high school. We are taking the kids to Disneyland with our wonderful god-family, the Roes. And hopefully Ted has a new job some time before Fall 2010. We might move, we might not. Lucas starts Kindergarten and Nora will probably go to different school too. We pray God's blessing on it all and everything else in between. He has been so good to us.
Many blessings in all your adventures in 2010.

Gotta get up it's Christmas Morning...

2009-12-26T20:22:00.000-08:00

We had a fun morning although the day brought out the crabbies. We stayed up late the night before for a fun party and we paid for it the next day with tired, "I don't want to eat" kids. But they had fun with their gifts and enjoyed celebrating Christ's birth.

We hoped that you enjoyed our Christmas card. It will always be here for you to enjoy again and again and again...

Trigg Annual Video Christmas Card!

2009-12-20T20:43:00.000-08:00

The weekend before Christmas...

2009-12-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

What a busy weekend. Friday, we went to Third Place Books for some free music (Christmas swing) and a chance to catch up with friends. The kids got to look at a lot of books and shake their hips. Saturday, our fabulous friends the Fabs came up from down south and we went downtown for a monorail ride, dinner at McDonalds, the carosel, the Teddy Bear Suite, and the Gingerbread houses at the Sheraton. Sunday Lucas and I went on a date to a mini (and I do mean mini) performance of the Nutcracker and a breakfast with Santa (which meant a pretty lame Santa walked through the dinner area and waved to the kids). But we got to spend the morning together and that was fun.
Lucas' first picture with a character (an elf
here). Wonder how well he will do with characters in disneyland. Hope he's a little more relaxed.

Tonight...

2009-12-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

was Lucas' first Christmas concert with a church. He did a small preschool one that was just the kids, no adults last year. He was a little nervous. He was a cow in the nativity sceen. Nora wouldn't go into the sanctuary or she would have been a sheep. (She has a deathly fear of sanctuaries right now, don't know what that's about). Before we got them in their christmas clothes and snaped this picture. There were more but this is the only one that turned out half way decent.

But while the kids sang there was an angel who hogged the mic and a brawl between 2 brothers (a ram and a shepherd). Loved it. Quite a sceen but one for the books.

Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

2009-12-10T19:53:00.000-08:00

Simply Enjoy!

Nora

2009-11-30T20:54:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Lucas

2009-11-30T20:32:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Decorating Time

2009-11-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

We went to Vancouver with mom to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Fabs. Wonderful food (thank you Leslie) and a great time with friends. We rushed home on friday and dropped off grandma and got our tree. The kids were thrilled. They had such a good time decorating, especially Nora. She keeps redecorating the tree.

I can't believe I'm admitting this...

2009-11-19T14:25:00.000-08:00

but my girlfriend and I are going to see...

This friday on opening night. (No, I can't sell my tickets to you). We know we will be amongst at least 200 teenage girls but wow, to get to see a love triangle between a mortal, a werewolf and a vampire. What could be better on a friday night? (No comments).

It's fun to be silly and see movies that are just plain entertaining. I don't have to think about the deep meaning of it or change my life because of it. Just something fun.

PS- I don't think Edward is that cute. They could have gotten someone so much better looking.
(You've got to read the books if you want to understand that - they are a fun read).

Haircuts

2009-11-14T19:43:00.000-08:00

So we went to get the kids haircuts today. Who do you think Nora looks like?

Both of them had so much hair. Lucas has started a nervous habit of twirling his hair on the back of his head so we got it cut off.

Nora the glam queen...

2009-11-14T10:54:00.000-08:00

Nora is so girly. It's amazing to us how we've got such a BOY and such a GIRL. Nora loves to take care of all her dollies and animals. She loves to dress up (like a pirate lately) and wear all her jewerly. She is very much a mommy's girl, in regards that she favors her mommy, not neccesarily always the other way around. Right now she's right next to me tryingto decorate her baby buggy with her jewelry. How clever!

Just one more house...

2009-11-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

That was Nora's motto last night for trick or treating. We went to about 20+ houses and then she said she was done going to houses. But as the older kids run to another house she would say "Just one more house mom." (For at least 10 more houses). Get down from my arms and run to the house to ask for candy.

We went down to our friends the Fabs (Fabianeks) in Vancouver, WA. They just moved to a new neighborhood and we felt like we were in a Norman Rockwell painting. Perfect evening, not to cold and all the kids from the neighborhood were out. Each cul-de-sac had a little fire pit burning with people out laughing and handing out candy. Most every house was lit up and decorated. We had a great time and all agreed that it was the best halloween yet!

Laser Tag Anyone?

2009-10-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Did you know that 5 year olds can play Laser Tag? That's crazy. Lucas got his first shot at it at Noah's (first on the left) birthday party? Noah and Rasi (center) are Lucas' buddies from the neighborhood. He loves his friends and he loves having to friends that live so close.

Everyone we know and don't know

2009-10-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

So the kids were in back of the car and Lucas asked Nora "Can we hold hands?" She shook her head no. I said "Lucas I would hold your hand if you asked me because I think you're special". "Ya," Lucas says, "everyone we know thinks I'm special. But everyone we don't know doesn't think I'm special." I smile. "But", he continues, "they think I'm cute!"

Love in my heart

2009-10-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

So the other day Lucas asked Ted and I to kiss. So we did. We asked him why he wanted us to do that and he said "It puts love in my heart".

Pumpkin Farm Family Picture

2009-10-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

Nora...

2009-09-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Watch out here she comes...

Reading to her dolls

You all have heard Ted and I complain about Nora. She is a whiner and crys a lot. Ted was just saying the other day "I thought she would never be happy." But she's mostly happy unless she's whining since she didn't get her way. She's becoming quite the personality. It still marvels me how different 2 kids from the same parents can be. She's really funny and loves to laugh. We do fall in love with her more and more every day. She still drives us crazy a lot of the day (like now she's washing her hands for the 86th time and it's only 1pm) but we are learning to appreciate the gift of Nora.

2009-09-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

We gave our camera to Lucas. He loves taking some pictures. Here are some.

Ala Blair Witch Project - "I'm so scared..."

"It's SHOWTIME!"

"Well, that tasted nasty...."

And then there is our fashion queen....Lucas didn't take this one....

Two goofballs means never a dull moment around here!

Where did the month go?

2009-08-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

Nora learns fashion. As you can see so does Lucas.
Ted gets his first pair of skinny jeans.

Lucas' first tube ride.

We actually did things in August. I can't believe the month is gone. I didn't lose weight but I did take up running. But more importantly I have a huge prayer request for you all. My sister's youngest son is being taken from her by his grandmother (through her son- Aidan's dad). It's a long story and we think they paid off the judge and I truly don't know what's best for him but please pray that God protects this little boy (he will be 5 in January). He's schedule to be handed over in a week and 1/2. I know that my sister loves him dearly and I can't imagine him leaving willingly. Please please pray for this situation.

Monthly Weign In

2009-08-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

Before we get to that a cute story about Nora. This week we had Lucas' buddy Lucas (or Friend Luc as Lucas calls him) came and camped out in the backyard with his Dad, Ted and Lucas. Well, Nora just talked about Friend Luc all day, asked for him first thing in the morning, etc, etc. A crush in the making. Anyway, today Ted and I were snuggling with her on the couch and I asked her "Are you mommy's girl?" She usually says" No, I'm daddy's girl". But today, she said" No, I'm Friend Luc's girl".
As for weigh-ins, I'm going monthly. Feeling frustrated about only losing 2 lbs in 2 months. So I begin today on August 1st. Current Weight: 158.5 and goals are to get to 150 by the end of the month, get into a work-out routine again and figure out healthly eating for me. I'm really going to try not to weigh myself at all until Septemeber 1st. That will be hard but I can do it.
Ok, here I go again....

Special Weigh-In Sunday

2009-07-26T09:53:00.001-07:00

Honesty is the best policy. I missed wednesday due to having to take the car into the mechanic at dawn. But today my weight is 157.9. Partly due to the fantasic birthday party we went to last night of italian food, good wine and wonderful birthday cake. But also because my momentum is gone. I need it back. So I'm trying to muster up some and get going. Pray it comes back. My doctor lowered my blood pressure medication so I need to get serious about this.

Lucas First T-Ball

2009-07-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

You saw it here first gang. Lucas began his baseball career.

Lucas' first time up to bat

Lucas' Fans that came to see him

Team chant at the end of the game

Weigh-In Wednesday

2009-07-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

I'm at work so I've got to make this quick:
Today's Weight is 155.8
I know it's a loss somewhere and I have no idea how I did it since I really haven't been good in eating or working out. So hopefully I can do better the last part of the month and get to my goal.

Weigh-In Wednesday

2009-07-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I didn't even weigh myself this morning. I knew it would be bad. We celebrated our anniversary this last week with really good food. But it is a new week and my goal is still to be at 150 by the end of the month. Got to get remotivated. Here's to a new week. I will to weigh0in with you all next Wednesday.

Weigh-In Wednesday

2009-07-01T08:41:00.001-07:00

Well, I have to say. I made cookies last night again but didn't eat one and not even the dough. I knew I had today to get to close to 155 as I could. I didn't get to work out as much as I wanted to but I ate better than usual this last week.
Last week's weight: 158.1
Today's weight: 156.6
Week's Weight Loss of 1.5
Total Weight Loss of 3.6
Since today is the 1st I'm making a month goal of getting to 150 by July 31st. Since I've had a slow start to this weight loss thing I think this is doable. My doctor is also lowering my blood pressure medication so I feel like it's even more important to get this weight off.
Goals this week: more water, more exercise.

Weigh-In Wednesday

2009-06-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Plan and simple...I made cookies yesterday. And I LOVE cookies. So I paid for it today.
And I didn't workout as much this last week. So here we go:
Last week's weight: 157.3
Today's weight: 158.1
Gain of .8 lbs
Total loss is 2.1 lbs.

So I'm making a lofty goal of being at 155 next Wednesday. Usually I take a break on Wednesday and Thursday and don't eat so good and then it takes until Sunday to actually get back into the swing of things. So today I'm just keeping steady, except for those pita chips I had today, too many. But I closed the bag and said "No More". And I worked out this morning!
Here we go...another week and I will do it! (You got shout that in your head for effect).
Goals: A lot more water
Work out (at the gym) at least 5 times by next Wednesday
Try really hard to stay away (and not bake) carbs

Within a 24 hour span

2009-06-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

Lucas' Life within 24 hours...

Tuesday Evening celebrating Grandma's Birthday
Early Wednesday Morning having his Growth Stimulation Test
Wednesday Evening he started T-Ball practice

Weigh-In Wednesday

2009-06-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

Good week...not 3 lbs like I had hoped.
Last week's weight: 159.3
This week's weight: 157.3

Total lost from being of Weigh In Wednesdays 2.8. Ok we got work today but we can do it. I'm going to shoot for another 2 lbs this next week.

My superheroes...

2009-06-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

Nora and Lucas went flying around with your dish towel capes tonight and thought it was the best.

Weigh In Wednesday

2009-06-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, we are on a see-saw this week: 159.3 up by .8 but I'm going to try an experiment. I'm going to tell you I'm going to lose 3lbs by next wednesday and we will see what the results are....

On a happier note... Lucas graduated preschool today.

This will make you laugh. He's a great Octopus!

The Wiggles

2009-06-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

Lucas loves the Wiggles. It's a group of 4 men who are geniuses I think. They make up these silly little songs about anything, like say "Hot Pototoe" and then proceed to make millions by singing and dancing and kids LOVE it.
So we got tickets for Ted to take Lucas to the Wiggles in July. We aren't going to tell him til that day. I'm not sure if he would get the concept of a concert or event like this yet not having been to one before. But I'm sure he will go NUTS.
Lucas will probably be the oldest kid there but he loves their music. Just for the record he likes Bob Marley and Rascal Flatts too. So he's not completely nerdy! (Well, he will be if he still likes the Wiggles when he's 13).
You can check out these brillant men at www.thewiggles.com.au

Weigh-In Wednesdays

2009-06-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Last week's weight: 160.6
This week's weight: 158.5

Good week but from my original weight it's 1.6 lbs. I think that's a good start. I do need to keep up on my water. Yesterday I noticed I hadn't had any water until 1pm. A Iced Soy Latte doesn't count, at least in my book. And the workouts, I actually like working out but fitting it in with kids and a husband in grad school is a little hard.
But I will do it! I notice that when I actually have to "report" to people I'm more aware of what I'm eating.

See you next week!

Weigh-In Wednesdays

2009-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, the first week I'm not starting the right way, going up instead of down.
Starting weight: 160.1
Today: 160.6
Now, .5 pounds isn't horrible but it's now .5 I need to lose now. So next week I'm hoping to be in the 150's.
Goals: Workout everyday and planning what I'm going to eat for the next day.

A rare photo

2009-05-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

Weigh-In Wednesday

2009-05-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

My friend started a weekly blog entry about her weight loss to create accountability and support. It was fun watching her weight go down (and up sometimes). I've kept my weight loss journey to myself for so long and it hasn't gotten me anywhere. So I'm going to steal her idea and do a blog entry every Wednesday about my weight. This is big for me since you know most women don't tell ANYONE how much they weigh. But this will create accountability for me. I'm going to e-mail friends and co-workers about my blog entry so they can help "keep me in line" in different areas of my life. So here goes....(I weighed in this morning with my new scale)...
Starting weight: 160.1
Good news about this weight, it's 10 lbs less than the beginning of 2009 and it's my pre-pregnancy weight before Nora.
Goals this week: more water everyday

Cubbies...

2009-05-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Lucas is in Awana Cubbies at my mom's church and loves it. He

memorizes verses every week and made some great friends. We are proud of the work he did this year with the Cubbies!

Smoking already....

2009-05-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

If you look closely at the picture you will notice that Lucas and Nora got into a baggy of pantyliners and tampons. They pretty much took apart the tampons and Lucas stuck one in his
mouth. How do they know about getting into things they shouldn't and putting things that look like cigarettes in their mouths.

Woody...the Christ?

2009-04-23T19:21:00.000-07:00

So Lucas likes to play "Jesus dying on the cross". Yes, my child came up with that one on his own. So Woody the Cowboy is our Jesus here on the cross. No, we do not have a stuff Jesus that he can use.
Not quite sure how to elaborate on this since it's a little strange.

He is Risen....

2009-04-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Our good looking children on Easter morning.

Our friends came over on saturday morning for an egg hunt and brunch. What fun! I'm not posititve that Nora really "got it" yet.

We did it....

2009-04-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, it only took 2 days for us to get our new faucet in. Although, we can never use our dishwasher again. We don't use it anyway! Yesterday, not only did we (well, actually Ted) got the new faucet in, we seeded some area of our yard for grass. Ted and Lucas went to the zoo. Nora and I went to the doctor, for her not me. Then...Lucas got the bug. Nora started vomiting on Wednesday night, in the car and now Lucas got it. I was just spouting off about how great my children's immune systems are and then their first case of the stomach flu crept in. Ted and I are waiting for it to hit us. Lucas started vomitng last night while Nora had it coming out the other end. BUT we got the faucet in and that's really all that matters right?

The picture above is from today. They are in Nora's bed fast asleep. Lucas never takes a nap so I'm sure we will be up LATE tonight.

Plumbing the sink

2009-04-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

Ted and I have many projects in our house to tackle. Tonight, we are attempting to change out the water faucet in the kitchen. The directions say it will take 60 minutes. I don't believe it. A couple of years ago we built a swing set that was "build and play in one day" as it was described. It took us oh I'd said at least a month. So hopefully by the time you come and visit again we will have a new kitchen faucet. I'm not promising though.

Licking the spoon...

2009-03-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

Remember when you made cake, cookies, or brownies with your mom and you got to lick the spoon. Well, my mom has taught my kids the "treat of the spoon". We made brownies today for Lucas to take to Cubbie tomorrow night and of course, they both wanted to lick the whisk. They would share and then fight over the whisk, but the best part was when Nora accidently got some on her shirt and Lucas said "I'm going to lick your shirt Nora!"
The other pictures are just cute ones of the kiddos.

Take a second look....

2009-03-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

Nora is wearing her cute swimsuit but also Lucas' underwear. Lucas declared a naked day and took off all his clothes. So Nora grabbed his underwear and put it on.

Chores???

2009-03-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

We are trying to get Lucas into the habit of chores. We asked him and Nora to take the laundry out of the dryer and put it into a basket. This is the result we got.

Happy Birthday Nora!

2009-03-08T19:03:00.001-07:00

Nora's kitty dress from Mommy and Daddy with her Hello Kitty boots from her God-parents.

Hello Kitty Cake by Mommy

Friend Ausia over to play!

Daddy's sweet girl!

Pony from neighbor Rasi and Kitty from neighbor Noah!

Nora turned 2. What a day! We invited her little friend Ausia over to play and have lunch. Then we went to their God-parents' home for dinner and my first birthday cake that was in a form of a character. It turned out pretty good. As you can tell from the photos Nora likes Hello Kitty!

Beautiful children

2009-02-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

We get remarks all the time about how beautiful our children are. We wonder "Do all parents get this many remarks about their kids?" I'm sure they do but we love how beautiful our child are, inside and out. Although, they can test our limits many times in one day, overall our kids are pretty good. Lucas' teachers keep commenting on how nice and considerate he is, which I hope to hear every year of school (here's hoping).

This picture is from Carkeek Park on Presidents Day. We all had fun and enjoyed being together!

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-11T22:19:00.000-08:00

We started a tradition (which I'm sure will end when Lucas wants to pick his own Valentines) that we take pictures of Lucas and then paste them onto red paper (still left over from our wedding) and make these into Valentines for his classmates at Preschool. He loves seeing funny pictures of himself and of course Nora wants in on the act.

So here's to a fabulous Valentines Day to you. We hope your life is full of love from and to many others!

Life in the Top Bunk

2009-01-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

Our kids love their bunk beds. Actually, they love the top bunk and often will climb up and play and wrestle. It is very fun to watch. There is also a little bit of sibling love going on. They really love to play together and wrestle together. Nora can certainly hold her own. We know its a phase and that in a number of years they will be at each other's throats. Or maybe not? Who knows. We have amazing kids...Anyway, tonight before saying good night to Nora, I had to physically seperate them from hugging each other. I think that two minutes is plenty....

Laughing...

2009-01-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we are sooo tired and parenting gets exhausting. But then you lay down and read with your kids and everyone just starts giggling.

...starring Lucas Trigg

2009-01-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

Nora's with her godmother, Holly. Holly made it for Lucas' big morning.

The preschool was putting on a small Christmas story play. I don't know if I would call it a play but a chance for the kids to say one line each. Lucas was a wiseman and his line was "I am a wiseman and I'm going to Bethlehem".

Then they all sang Christmas songs. This was planned for December 19th but since the snow cancelled school they had it on January 9th. He was very excited for his theatrical debut.