Happy Birthday Party!!!!

Autie Sam let Jairus open theirs early. I wonder what it could be.

This book from Auntie Sam and Uncle Jeremy and the girls is totally cool! He loves books! AWESOME GIFT!!!! Thanks Auntie Sam and Uncle Jeremy for coming out, we love you!

Jairus' cake. The engine, and the cars following.

From another angle.

Grandma and Papa Charbonneau got Jairus a sand box!!! Very fitting. He loves to be in the dirt. Thank you Grandma and Papa. You are very special, Jairus is lucky to have grandparents like you!
Filling up the sandbox, don't pay attention to my yard.

Uncle Jeremy and Tim. I love seeing these boys together!

Jaya Lee, so pretty!

Spinning around!

Getting busy on the cake.

"I love frosting."

Auntie Jessie put a lot of thought into this toy. It is so cool. It speaks to him, sings him the alphabet and there are little animals to put on it, and the toy tells him which one it is, the sound it makes and describes a feature about each animal. Very neat. Thanks Auntie Jess and Uncle Rica for such an awesome toy. Thank you for driving from far away to come and help me out and for making some Mexican food!

Last but definitely not least, his riding choo choo train from his Grammy. It comes complete with a whistle and an a 6 foot track. Grammy wants to get more track, but we know better! Thank you Grammy for the awesome gift! He loves it, and loves spending time with you

Grammy planned far in advance for this, she purchased the train when Jairus was only two weeks old. She also got Jairus a Tonka Truck rug for his room.

Also, thank you Uncle James for the beanie, it will keep his head warm in the winter.

To everyone who wished Jairus a happy birthday, and all who gave gifts, THANK YOU! It is heart warming just to know he is thought of and loved my so many.

A Belated Birthday Gift!!

This morning, we

had a busy day

planned. We had

some difficulty,

but look how cute

he looked!

We had a surprise package on our door. It said Cabela's on it, and at first glance, I was sure Tim was going to be in a mess of trouble. But then I noticed it said Jairus on it! We had to wait till Daddy was with us to open it. So Little Man and I went down to Grandma Charbonneau's to bake his birthday cake....
















In his special package it was a powered mini- ATV! And a shotgun!















Here Jairus and Daddy are getting the ATV ready.
















Nice shotgun!



"Uh, where is
the power at?"















He loves his new ATV. We just need to get the power going. Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa Eastman for the awesome gift. He cried when I had to pull him away from it to go to bed. We will load some video of him riding it as soon as we get him some power. We love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AUNT DONA!!!

We love and miss you!

Hope You had an awesome birthday!!! Or should we say an awesome birthday month!

Happy Birthday Big 1 Year old

The day started with Jairus and I playing at home. We played with his instruments, especially his new guitar. Around 1 or 2, Daddy came home and we went for a late lunch.

Then we treated him to ice cream!



Then Grandma Charbonneau came to wish her boy a happy birthday!

Thanks Grandma for his new race track

Plus he got a new shirt. Very Cool.

Not one to be a party pooper, Grandma came complete with brightly colored cupcakes.

"Yummm, birthdays taste good."

"Here Mommy, I have a lot on my hands!"

Yummy

I could be a clown at a rodeo!

"Got Milk."

A finished work of art. Check out the video clip below!

Turkey Sausage Saute' with Rice

Last night, I didn't want to go to the store, it seems silly to me to make an extra trip for one thing. So I grabbed some stuff we had, and this turned out excellent!!!
--
1 cup cooked brown rice or the Harvest Melody Wild Rice (from Costco)
1 package of medium spice turkey sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 large onion, cut into thin strips
1 green pepper, cut into thin strips
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
Handful of fresh green beans
2 cups mushrooms, cut into slices
1/2 Jar sun dried tomatoes, drained on a paper towel, cut into halves
olive oil
garlic powder to taste
pepper to taste
small dash of chili powder (omit if sensitive to spice)
favorite seasonings
--
Heat up a large pan to medium and circle olive oil around twice. Add the onion, green pepper, red pepper, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes. Cover to allow the moisture to help cook the veggies. Check to make sure the mixture is sauteing, not browning.
--
Once veggies are cooked, add the turkey sausage and the green beans. Turn up heat to med-high and stir often. Get the green beans and sausage to the bottom of the pan and cook. Sprinkle with seasonings and toss to coat. Once fully cooked, scoop some rice on a plate and top with the sausage saute'. Serves 3 to 4.

Not what he wanted

Tim was hoping for counter-intelligence for his new M.O.S. But he got communications instead, he will be working with fiber optics. Please keep him in your prayers. We are praying that the military still sends through him interim for his Top Secret Clearance. If he has that, it is a great bonus when he goes to look for work outside the military. I feel so bad for him. It feels like he is constantly getting the short end of the stick. I tell him God is saving it all up to bless him. But, I don't know if that is what he wants to hear at this point.

Tim will be leaving at the end of January for two months of training in Georgia. That is going to bite. It has been awhile since he has had to leave me for that long. And now he isn't just leaving me, he is leaving Jairus too. It is so nerve racking to wonder what he will be doing when he gets out, how we are going to support our family. But we are so sick of living this way. We can't make any big plans to travel, go on vacation or even a concert because the whims of the military can change all our plans in a second. I am longing to be able to plan fun for our family. Tim has been excluded so much from family things, I know it must hurt his heart.

Anyway, one step closer to knowing what the destiny of this family is. Tim has about 17 months left in the military. God is faithful, and He is good. I know he will bless Tim with his heart's desire.

Early Birthday Present

We couldn't wait to give this to him!
The strings taste good too!
Looking good!

Redeemed Soldier

All my life, I have searched for you.

But I filled myself up with the world,

Living a lie- instead of accepting the truth.

----

You waited, like the gentlemen you are,

Watching me destroy myself,

Breaking your heart.

---

I ached- I was tortured inside.

You longed to be my Comforting Healer,

But your hands were tied.

---

Finally- the dawn of a new day!

You gave me your Son,

And washed my sins away.

---

Oh my Lamb of Victory,

Let me feel your Majesty.

For You to shine in me.

I want all to see,

Through me,

Your Glory.

---

You Daddy, I will always praise.

Let me sing of Your Love, Mercy,

And Grace.

---

Let me be Your soldier, standing tall.

Dressed in your armor,

I am answering Your call,

---

On my life, anointed by Your Blood,

I shall fight

In the desert and the mud.

---

There is no turning back now- for sure.

The Lamb to who I owe my life,

You are preparing me for war.

---

Oh my Lamb of Victory,

Let me feel Your Majesty.

For Your Light to shine in me.

I want all to see,

Through me,

Your Glory.

---

Now come Holy Spirit, fill my heart.

Lead me by the hand,

Tell me where to start.

---

Speak to me Strongtower, today.

Go before me,

As I battle for You in this place.

---

Prepare the hearts You send my way.

Soften them, Father,

To hear of the Love of Yahweh.

---

Give me Your Heart to intercede for the hurting.

Show me how to pray boldly.

In Your Name, I ask these things.

---

Oh my Lamb of Victory,

Let me feel Your Majesty.

For Your Light to shine in me.

I want all to see,

Through me,

Your Glory.

---

Camp was intense. Most of you probably do not know I used to write- a lot. About five years back, I went dry. Any time I tried to write creatively, my pen wouldn't move. God blessed me this week. He has filled my heart with so much, I think the floodgates in my mind are going to burst. Of all the things I have ever written, I know this is by far my best work. This is my first work of Praise to the Lord. Please, if you feel moved, share it. I want this piece to speak to people who feel lost, or that God would never use them. It is a lie. He is calling, the question is weather or not we will answer.

Chef Boy 'ar Jairus

Jairus getting into his drawer

Too cute. Every time the

camera is out, he poses

like there is no

tomorrow!

Tub Time

I love this kid! How funny is this?

Look at that little booty!

He loves the bath.

Giving the Beasties some coverage

Sophie Girl. Brain. Baby Girl. Soph a Doph a Loaf of Bread. Thing 1.

Duff. Doodles. Destroyer. The Dark One. Fat Face. Thing 2.

Pretty sad. I am a bad mommy. Before Jairus my camera was consumed with pictures of these two. Now with Jairus, I am chasing him all around with the camera, and my poor Beasties aren't getting any media coverage. This may not be the most exciting thing they do each day, but they deserve the attention.

Rockstars don't perform on demand.

My little man is so cute, and he loves to rock out. But as soon as I get the camera on him, he refuses! I guess true genius is spontaneous!

Jesus is Faithful

Our beautiful niece, Jaya went in for eye surgery today. The doctors corrected her lazy eye. Sam said it went great, her corneas are looking good, and the doctors are happy. It has been amazing to see my sister's and brother's strength during such an uncertain time. Jaya's diagnosis has gone from very grim and discouraging to endless possibilities for her sight. She sees more than the medical professionals ever thought she would. I really believe Jaya has shown this family how to have faith in the most Faithful One of all. Jesus is healing this little girl. He is using her condition to speak to me and to my family. Praise You Lord for Jaya! When I think of her, I smile. She has such a gentle way about her. She is girly, sweet, and an absolute testimony of miracles! I feel Jaya is going to be the Softener of Hearts. She is going to break down walls and barriers for Jesus. I am getting chills thinking about her! I am so blessed, we are so blessed to have her! Go to www.eastmanfamilytime.blogspot.com or click on the Eastman Family Link to the right to see our beautiful Jaya Lee! Get better fast baby girl!