The Frey Family

Update

2012-01-22T08:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your prayers over the last several weeks! It's been 4 weeks 5 days since I was admitted to the hospital on bedrest. We are 30 weeks pregnant now and Baby Frey is doing just fine! I have tried to convince the doctors over and over that I feel fine and can go home, but they insist I stay. Their main concerns are preterm labor, infection getting to the baby because I'm ruptured, and cord prolapse. Even though all are statistically low, the doctors say its not safe to go home.

Since I've been here, I have learned to knit and crochet, read many many books, explored the hospital in detail, researched a lot of medical information online, and studied several Biblical topics that have peaked my interest during this time. They say it takes 30 days to make or break a habit, and since I've been here longer than that, I'm hoping that bedrest won't just settle in on me! Lol! I don't think that will happen though. My nurse this morning DID mention that it will take several weeks to build back my muscle strength in order to do the things I used to do. She said not to overdo it when I go home. I'll have to try and remember that.....

The kids are with Grandpa and Grandma Johnson in Wisconsin for a week! They seem to be having a blast, and it sure makes my life so much less stressful knowing they are happy and being taken care of! Mike really needed that reprieve from dealing with childcare. I don't know how single parents do it! We have had wonderful friends and family helping out with the kids, but they have been getting shuffled around every 2-3 days and it was getting to be a lot for them and the sitters. So thankful for all the people who have helped us during this time!

So, it looks like Februrary 18 or 19 is when this little guy will come. They said I could maybe try a natural delivery, but if it there's not enough progress, then its a c-section. Either way we will have a beautiful baby boy in the end and we can go HOME shortly after that! Hurrah! There's no place like home!

Thank you again for the prayers! When I get home, I will post lots of pictures!

So much has happened....

2011-12-29T17:28:00.000-08:00

Wow! It amazes me how quickly life can take new twists and turns. God most certainly has a plan in it all, and it can be exciting to see what He is doing our lives!

On December 20th, Mike and I and the kids were getting ready to go to a friends house for dinner. I had just made a pineapple upside down cake and was sitting at the kitchen table finishing up some Christmas cards when i felt a gush. Since i was only around 25 weeks pregnant, i didnt really thimk my water had broken but i was also sure that i had NOT just wet myself! How embaressing! So I called my doctor who said to swing by the hospital to get checked out. We figured we could stop on the way and still make it to our dinner. It's actually funny looking back on it....

Once we got to the hospital, the nurses took their time doing the test and taking my blood pressure and chatting with the kids. Apparently a lot of women come in thinking their water had broken but it usually turns out to be an overactive bladder. Half an hour later, the nurse came running back into the room saying "Yep, your water broke!" and the next thing I know the room is full of nurses hooking me up to IV's, putting monitors on my belly, and shooting steroids in my leg! The small hospital in Waconia, where my doctor resides, was not capable of caring for a baby as small as 25 weeks, so they said they raced me off by ambulance to the big hospital in downtown Minneapolis. It was a very bumpy ride.

I didn't really understand what the problem was then, but learned a short time later that one usually goes into labor after their water breaks. I mean, I knew ThAT part, I just didn't think that would actually happen to me. All the steroids and medicines they gave me were to get baby ready in case I did go into labor, and also to try to stop the contractions I was starting to have by then. Long story short, my contractions slowed, babys heart rate continued to look great, and my labor never kicked in full throttle.

Our baby boy is still growing inside me everyday and we are praying he continues to do so for a few weeks longer at least! I have to remain in the hospital on semi bed rest until his birth. Because there is obviously a tear in my bag of waters, there is a higher risk of infection for baby, another reason they are keeping us here. Close monitoring and preventative care are important. I am now 26 weeks 5 days along, and at this point, everyday counts!

It would be easy to complain about circumstances. It really would. My three precious children are without their Mommy now. My husband has so much more responsibility than before and has to work very hard to maintain our family without me. Friends and relatives have really stepped in to help as much as possible. And I have to sit here and just watch all this happen without being able to DO anything. But I have to say that my heart is simply filled with gratitude for so many things right now. I am incredibly grateful for the people in my life that are helping our family right now. So very thankful for my amazing husband who is doing the job of two parents and doing it so well. The kids seem to be handling the changes just fine, and I'm sure it's Mommy who is having the harder time being apart from them. Haha! But mostly I am so thankful that our baby boy is still growing inside me instead of trying to make it in the NICU. He is a mere 2 pounds right right now and would fit in the palm of Mikes hand. What a fragile tiny little baby he would be, and although his chances of survival would be great, there would still be many complications to overcome. After hearing the stories from nurses here, reading information about micro preemies and seeing pictures of these precious babies born too soon, I am singing my thanks to God for his grace in keeping our little guy inside the womb a little longer.

So if you read this post and think of it, please say a prayer for baby and me. Please pray for our family. And then thank God for the many blessings He has allowed in your life!

I will try to post often to keep everyone updated. Love to you all!

new stuff

2011-12-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Here's Abbie doing some stretches in her dance class. She still loves every minute of dance, and asks me everyday when her next class is going to be. Her teacher is very sweet and does a great job with all the little girls.

This is from October, but its cute so I added it.
Sam and Mommy.
Daddy loves to come home and play with all the kiddos! They love it too!
Took this picture on Sunday before church- Sammy is such a great smiler! Love these kiddos!

Well, its been awhile since I've blogged anything. No, my life is not so busy that I don't have time to blog, I honestly just forget to do it since I'm not on the computer that much. Haha! I have hundreds of pictures to post, but since I'm so far behind, it will take me awhile to sort through and post them. I'll get it done though!

We enjoyed our first church Christmas Banquet this past Sunday. Mike is pastoring Northern Lights Baptist Church in Waconia, MN now, and its been really fun planning events and seeing them come together. We had our Christmas Banquet in the reception room at Island View Golf Course. The food was amazing, several music specials were beautiful, the Christmas reading was wonderful, and the message Mike brought was encouraging too. This was the first church event that Mike and I ever totally planned ourselves, and we were both encouraged to find it went fantastic! So much prayer and planning, and we give all the glory to God for its success!

Kids:

Caleb is doing great in gymnastics. He absolutely loves it, so we signed him up for another 7 weeks of it! He is doing cartwheels around the house now, and always showing us his new moves. We have been getting early reader books from the library up the road, and he is just devouring them. He wants to read soooo bad, but is still trying to grasp the concept of putting sounds together. I think he is right on the verge of figuring it all out. He is also becoming more adventurous which he proved the other day by cutting his own hair. He took a huge chunk right out of the front, so I had to buzz his head to fix it. Good news is that hair grows fast!

Abbie is still loving dance class and does well in it most of the time. Sometimes she gets distracted and just does her own thing, but its usually when we've missed nap time that day. :) She just had her preschool Christmas play where she was a shepherd! I have some adorable pictures to upload with her dressed up! So cute! She did a great job, as did all the kids in her class. She is the youngest in her class, but she just loves school and her teacher!

Sam is repeating all the things he hears and becoming a little toddler! He's not a baby anymore....so sad! He loves to climb on everything! The couch, the chairs, large toys, my piano, the list of things to attempt to climb never ends with him! We've had a few episodes of minor falls but he always ends up being just fine. We read lots of books together with Caleb and Abbie, which he LOVES! He is also my snuggler- he loves to cuddle with Mom and Dad, give hugs and kisses, and pat our faces. He is so much fun to play with! I think he is going to be very jealous of his baby brother when he comes in March. Sam likes lots of attention and gets very unhappy if he sees Mama holding another baby! We will have to work on that.

Christmas is approaching and we are looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior this season! What a blessing it is to have the gift of salvation and live in this age of God's grace. May Jesus be with you this week!

Some Fall Frey Family Friendly Pictures

2011-10-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

My favorite family pose.

These are the Frey cousins: Caleb, Micah, Abbie, Luke, and Ryan. Sam and Baby Ben sat this one out. :)

Its Fall Y'all!

2011-10-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

Caleb told his Daddy the other day "I think my other tooth is ready to come out, Dad." So Mike went and got some floss, and one little tug later... tooth #2 was out!

My Sammy is such a cutie!!!! Love my little bugger!
The kids love the leaves! Raking them is one of their favorite fall activities and it always means the kids will come in later with sticks and dead leaves all over them. But I love every minute of it because they love it. Fall is fun!

Visit to Tennesse

2011-09-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

The kids and I drove down to Tennessee a couple of weeks ago to visit some friends. The drive was fantastic- the kids slept most of the time and colored or watched a movie when they were awake. We stayed with our great friends, Tim and Annabel, and their adorable newborn son Weston the first few days.

Then we hopped up to LaFollette to visit our church in Tennessee and our pastor and his wife. I was able to play the new baby grand piano the church had just gotten for the Sunday services! What a blessing! We stayed with our wonderful friends, Jeff and Darlene!

It was such a great visit. It was relaxing and fun to see people I know and love and have missed. Thankful to have made it safely there and get safely back!

"Oooooh!" Sam loves our friends dog, Harvey!

Abbie is so silly! She is my smiley girl!
Caleb posing.

Bonfire night at Tim and Annabel!
Donut-eating contest! Not sure who won but it was soooo much fun to do!

The kids absolutely loved loved loved it!
Shopping in Market Square in downtown Knoxville!
Having a frozen yogurt at Froyoze was a blast! You get to pick out your ice cream and add as many toppings as you want. Then you weigh it and pay by the weight! Every kids dream!

Annabel with her sweet baby Weston. Isn't she beautiful?
The boys trying out Tim's jet-ski. They both loved it!
Playin' in the water!

My sweet lil' Weston and me.
Sam watching Caleb and Abbie playing outside.
My goofy boy right after his ride with Tim on the jet-ski.

Abbie Dances!

2011-09-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

Abbie is absolutely in love with her dance classes! She loves copying everything her teacher does, jumping around to the music, and twirling! Mike and I just love watching her and are so happy that she is enjoying this new event in her life.

2011-08-25T20:47:00.001-07:00

Sam loves the sand so much more than the water. He loves to throw it everywhere and roll in it and eat it. Yes, he is a little strange with sand but we just let him go with it. :)

Caleb showing me how he can swim. He is a fish!
Abbie snacking and sunbathing. Ahhh, she is so much like her mother!
Caleb working on his "school."
Abbie doing shapes!
Sammy!
Sam trying on daddy's work shoes.

Our BABY!

2011-08-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

We are so happy to be expecting again! I feel like I'm risking alot by letting myself be happy, by expecting this pregnancy to happen and feeling unbounded joy at the thought of holding this baby in April. But I can't NOT feel these things because this is our child that God has given us, and we know that all things are in His hands. We are trusting in Him to give what is best for our family. Please pray with us that our little blessing will grow and develop marvelously and that my pregnancy will go well!

We are 8 weeks 4 days! Due the beginning of April. Every day counts!

Random

2011-08-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sam and Abbie

2011-08-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

Bounce N Ball fun with the Cousins

2011-08-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Caleb lost his first tooth!

2011-08-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

Caleb lost his first tooth the day before his 5th birthday! It had been loose for about a week so Mike wiggled it out for him. He was thrilled!

Caleb's 5th Birthday!

2011-08-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

Caleb celebrated his 5th Birthday on July 28th with a cowboy style party at Grandpa and Grandma Freys house. We had a rootin' tootin' good time with frozen lemonade, beef stew and biscuits, corn on the cob over the campfire, and cake and ice cream! The party was one of the best birthdays we've celebrated! Enjoy the pictures!

Opening his cowboy boots from Grandparents

Cousin Micah (also 5 yr) and Caleb

Auntie Julie trying on the mustache!

All the kiddos enjoying the meal

Annie and Autumn

Grandpa Frey is a Deputy Sherrif Mounted Posse, and he deputized Caleb for his birthday! Caleb giggled through the whole thing- it was funny!

Micah, Ryan and Caleb. Cousins.

The Frey boys- Steve, Mike, Dave, and Jim.

The Frey girls- Autumn, Julie, and Annie.

Birthday boy!

My lil' cowboys and cowgirl!

Beach Fun

2011-07-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Abbie loved to jump in the water and then go sit on a towel and sunbathe. Truly, she is my daughter! Mommy loves to do the same thing!Buried alive!

Lake Waconia Beach is sandy, warm and fun!
My toes have changed shape. Water makes things look very different! Lake water is gross, by the way. I wouldn't go in deeper than my knees. At some point, I may be able to, just not yet. Yuck.
Sam's new shades make him look cool as a cucumber.
Dad only buried Sam halfway. Ha ha! Look at his lil' toes sticking out!
Caleb LOVED the water as usual. Mike had fun throwing him high up in the air and then watching him splash down into the water. I took some video clips of it. Funny! He is not afraid of water at all! And he can swim pretty good for a 4, almost 5 year old!
Abbie used to be so cautious around water, but now she is exploring more. She braved it up to her neck at one point! I'm so proud of her!
Abbie, Daddy and Sam started building a sand castle but Sam kept destroying it. So Daddy ended up piling the sand all around Sam!

Earlier in the day, the kids and I went to the mall. While we were eating lunch, a man came by and gave Caleb some Green Lantern stuff, so he tried it on for his picture-crazy Mother. :)
Earlier in the day (BEFORE the mall and the beach) we went to the library up the street because the Zoomobile came by. The kids got to see a snake, an armadillo, a parrot, a South American Millipede, and a guinea pig. They loved hearing all about the animals and getting to hold some afterwards! The pictures are blurry because there were 100 kids there squeezing in to hold the animals too and I just threw my camera up in the air and snapped, hoping to get a good shot. :)

Accidents happen.

2011-07-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

Accidents happen. I had to explain this to Caleb earlier today when he dumped Sam out of the stroller face first. Oops. A casual stroll to the library turned into a chaotic and very bloody mess on the way home. Being the cool and calm mother that I am, I most certainly did NOT panic the moment I saw Caleb hit the broken piece of sidewalk jutting up and flip the stroller over. My heart did not skip a beat as I saw Sam's arms fly out and his face bounce off the pavement. Nope. Not me. I was as cool as a cucumber. Well, maybe I wasnt all that calm. Ha ha!

I did drop the library books and rush over, pick my baby up and begin to comfort him. I actually had to comfort Caleb more as he was screaming "I don't want to see the blood! It's all my fault!" while covering his eyes. In the end, there was more blood than actual injury. His wounds will heal and Caleb's heart was comforted.

**On a side note, while typing the above, Caleb and Abbie somehow pushed Sam while playing and he now has an upper swollen bloody lip as well as a lower bloody and swollen lip. Ahhh, the joys of motherhood!

Earlier today before he got his bloody lip. Those marks are from playing at the park last night. childhood can be so rough!
Caleb is in the green shirt in the middle jumping. This is the play area in the mall in Eden Prairie. Its about 25 minutes from our house and we go there alot!!!
Sam and Abbie playing together.
So, life is continuing on. Day by day. Not a whole lot is happening for us right now. The kids and I try to find some sort of routine to our days, but right now it still feels like temporary living. Like we aren't going to be here much longer. I still havent unpacked half of my pots and pans, clothes, decorations. But maybe that is how we are supposed to live, especially as Christians. This world is not our home, we are just passing through. Our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. We can't stay at home in this world forever, right? Love ya'll! Hugs to you, Mom, and thanks for listening!

Fourth of July

2011-07-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

2011-07-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

2011-06-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Playing at an indoor park was so much fun for Sam and Abbie a few weeks ago. I asked myself why someone would build an INDOOR park....then I remembered what state I'm living in now. 'Nuff said!

The munchkins after bath time, snacking on some chips. Caleb has been such a good helper lately. We are excited about reading new books from the library (just up the street) each week. The kids LOVE to have books read to them. Caleb is starting to recognize words that are repeated often, and will say them with me as I read now. Its exciting to see him learning. Abbie is my little housekeeper- if I hand her a washrag, she will wipe every surface in the house clean. Its wonderful! And she loves doing it, so it works out for both of us.
Mike has been busy gathering information and resources for his church, meeting with other pastors, organizing the opening meeting we will be having in September, working, and getting to know the area again.

God has been good to us and is teaching us new things each day. We are leaning on Him and seeking His will in all we do. Please continue to pray for us!

Baby Benjamin

2011-06-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

This little cutie is my newest nephew, Benjamin. I had the privilege of doing his newborn pictures last week and absolutely fell in love with him! He was precious.

My Beelers

2011-06-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

2011-06-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Grandpa and Grandma came to visit!Sam reaching for my camera while we were eating out Sunday.
Caleb giving me his fake smile. Thanks buddy!
Sunset driving back from somewhere a few days ago.

2011-06-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Caleb being silly in the car.

We bought Caleb a hat and guns- how cute is he?

Drama

2011-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night during church, one of the nursery workers came and got me out of the service whispering something about Abbie, falling, blood.... Apparently, our somewhat clumsy daughter (bless her heart!) tripped on her own feet and fell, hitting the arm of the rocker/glider chair. It was the perfect angle to gash open the soft spot under her chin, and deep enough for seven stitches. One trip to the ER accompanied by stitches and a popsicle later, she was a happy camper once again.

Hysterical moment in the ER: Abbie is cocooned-wrapped in a sheet to keep her arms still with two nurses holding her, the doctor sewing her, while I stroke her forehead trying to calm her. She is SCREAMING like a banshee because all she sees is four heads peering over her and a needle going in and out of her face. Not a pleasant moment. Mike walks in just then and puts his hand on her forehead while I back off to take a breather. Abigale instantly stops crying as soon as she sees her Daddy. Instantly. The nurses mouths all drop open. They could not stop talking about how amazing it was that she responded to him like that! She never even whimpered as they finished the stitching, sat her up, gave her a popsicle, and put a bandaid on her "owie."

They also commented on how they had never seen anyone in a suit in the ER before! Mike explained how we were in the middle of church when this happened. Ha ha!

It all worked out well in the end, and Abbie is running around like a three year old again. Stitches come out in 5 days!

Right after they finished the stitches. A smile!

How she looks today.

Waiting in the ER....

2011-05-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Every couple needs a date night every once in awhile. That's what we were out doing the evening of this photograph. Out to dinner together, just the two of us while good friends watched out kidlets for us. Could two people be more in love? Maybe, but I doubt it! I am blessed beyond all measure to have the sweet husband God has given me. We may not always see eye to eye, we may fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but in the end, we end up in each others arms. Jesus is the center of our marriage and with Christ in the middle, you can't go wrong. Amen.

Love my sister, Heidi. You are the wind beneath my wings girl!
Brothers have a special bond, and Caleb and Sam are no exception. Caleb is always wanting to hold Sam, give him a bottle, help him walk, or maybe give him a ride on his fourwheeler. What a brother!
Caleb and mommy planting some flowers in front of our home. He is such a good little helper. And, yes, I dyed my hair black. Eh, its a change. Won't keep it, but its fun to mix it up a little. :)

2011-05-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Mike and I bowling in Green Bay with my family.

Out for morning coffee!
Caleb doing a silly look.
Sam trying on a hat at the Children's Museum.
Abbie climbing on the playset at the park next to our apartment.
Caleb giving Sam his first ride on the fourwheeler today! He loved it!
Abbie running to catch the boys on the fourwheeler.
Me giving Sammy kisses during dinner!

Happy Birthday Samuel!

2011-05-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

My baby boy is growing up! It's happening too fast! It seems like just a few weeks ago that Mike and I drove to the hospital in anticipation of Sam's birth! My labor went quickly and his birth was amazing! When the nurses put him into my arms, I cried. He was perfect and beautiful, and we were so grateful to the Lord for giving us another child.

Sam is our smiley yet serious baby. He is always laughing, but he can beat anyone in a stare-down! ;) He is walking like a pro now, and thinks he's the bomb running around and getting into everything. Just recently, he's started singing and its the cutest things ever! He will sit in Mike's lap while I play the piano and sing "dada dadada dada daaaah!" and clap his hands! So sweet!

He had a blast with his birthday! Mike encouraged him with his cake by kind of smashing his face into it. Haha! It got him going and he dug his hands in and started shoveling it in his mouth! Lots of fun!

Easter 2011

2011-05-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Storm of the century

2011-04-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

You can't see it very well, but its pouring rain.

2 hours before it normally gets dark....creepy sky.

Good thing we put in that walk-way. Look at the water streaming off the house.

So much lightning, hail, rain, and wind. Worst storm I've ever been in.

2011-04-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

My house is a disaster. I mean, its bad! Not only are there boxes piled in every room and heaps of various unboxed items scattered around, my house is just plain dirty to boot! Chaos. I think that I have officially given up trying to keep things relatively organized and am just going with survival right now.

So, when things are crazy inside we go outside. Its been rain one day, sun the next; a constant pattern that allows me to pack one day and spend the next outdoors! This has allowed me to keep my sanity. And my husband and children. :)

Even though I have this tendancy to look at circumstances through pessimistic glasses, to take all the bad things that have recently happened and turn them into major events that only superhuman strength could overcome, God has been a constant reminder that He is in control. I am not a spiritual person. I try to be a good Christian, but lets face it- I doubt, I complain, I ask "why?" and I get mad. At life, at myself, at those close to me. But in these past few weeks I have felt the hand of God on me daily. I hear Him say "Autumn, just be quiet. Listen to me. I have a plan." I feel like Sarah in the Bible. She laughed when the angels told Abraham that she would conceive a child and have a son. She laughed! And then because she knew it was impossible and doubted God, she told Abraham to go sleep with her handmaid and have a son by her. Because how could God possibly give Sarah a child in her old age? But He did. Because God has a plan.

So, when both of your vehicles die in the same week, when a tree randomly crashes and knocks out your power lines in the same week, when you are jobless, when you have to sell many of your possessions and say good-bye to your dearest friends, when life just rises up against you and you feel like one more thing will make you crumble, and when you doubt- like Sarah -and come up with a plan of your own, God will show you Himself.

Almost every day in the last two weeks, the Lord has sent someone into my life to witness to or talk about the greatness of God. Yesterday, the man who bought our bed off craigslist gave an amazing testimony of the goodness of God. Once a cocaine addict and satanist, he has been converted to a life given to Christ for nearly 12 years because of the faithful prayers of his wife. A sweet neighbor lady has given testimony to the power of God in the healing of her sister. A friend from church and his wife are expecting a baby in the fall after losing their first child in December, and they give all the praise and glory to Jesus Christ. His will is perfect. And His way is perfect. We cannot control circumstances in our life. But we can choose how we react to them. Will we give glory and honor to God no matter what happens? Or will we doubt and become angry. Its a daily battle. But one that we can have victory over through Jesus!

May the Lord bless your week!

Busy but FUN days!

2011-04-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

Whatchya lookin' at?

2011-04-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Whatchya lookin' at?

Why does Abbie want Daddy to hold her?

Ooooooh. Snake!

here and there

2011-04-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here

There

2011-04-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Tennessee Mountains= Beautiful

21 Days

2011-04-13T13:25:00.001-07:00

This is the 20 ft. trailer that was graciously loaned to us for hauling our possessions up north. This is more room than many people in countries around the world have to live in. Puts a different perspective on things when you think like that. We are very grateful for it! Corner of our bedroom.

Clothes. Clothes. Clothes. We most assuredly have too many clothes.

Approximately 3 weeks from now we begin our next adventure in life! Today, I am excited as all git-out about moving across our beautiful country to another land. A place where we will start a new life, make new friends (and of course keep the dear friends we have now!), live in a new place, learn new territories, and see God work in an amazing way.

I was reminded today by a sweet neighbor lady that our God is a great and powerful God who can and WILL do anything! He has the best in store for us and all we need do is ask! She told me some great stories about how she has seen the Lord work in her life, miraculous works, amazing and impossible things. But not for God. While we may not hold to the same beliefs or doctrine, this dear lady and I both believe in the power of God. I believe the Lord sent her to encourage me today, to see His faithfulness in every area of my life. I hope that you will see His love and encouragement this week as well!

The Wilderness Waterpark in Sevierville, TN

2011-04-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

Super fun!!!

Girls Night Out Pedicure

2011-04-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

Molly, Heidi, Brittany, and Abbie and I spent a Saturday shopping, tanning, and getting amazing pedicures! So much fun to have a girls' night out!

Gun Rnage with Family

2011-04-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

While my amazing sisters and sister-in-law were down visiting, we added my brother Noah to our group and went to the shooting range to try out our new gun. Although I freaked out at first because all of the shooting was overwhelming and REALLY loud (kind of embarrasing, yes), I got past that and ended up shooting multiple rounds with our new .38 Ruger. Love it! I must say, we are all pretty good shots and the night ended up being alot of fun.

Bass Pro Shop, Guns, and Thoughts

2011-03-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

Mike and I love spending time with our youngins'. :) Our kids are so much fun to be around (for us anyway...) and we really love just taking an afternoon or evening and going to the park, walking around the mall, or heading over to the Bass Pro Shop! Our kids love that place!
They have awesome mounted animals- it's almost like walking through a zoo...except, all the animals are dead. Ha ha! Caleb loves to see the moose and turkeys and deer. And they have this huge tank full of really big fish that Abbie will stare at for a loooooong time. Great place! Sam is happy as a lark in the cart in this picture... it's one of the few times he's actually IN the cart because he mostly wants mommy to hold him all the time!

Hmmmm, out of order photos- me and Mike on the way to church.

Me with my new hair-do!

Back to Bass Pro.... Mike was lovin' the pontoon boats!

Sam playing with a turkey while we wait for Daddy, who was looking at guns....There's a story behind that!

"Look at me Mom! I can see the whole first floor of Bass Pro!" He was like a monkey trying to climb up the wire!

Caleb took a picture of Abs and me. :)

Self-portrait! Nice smile son!

Caleb and Sam all ready for church- I had to take a picture! Look at the difference in their eye color. Got my blue-eyed boy and my brown-eyed boy! They are both so precious and handsome!

These two little monkeys found some balloons in a drawer and were walking around the house like this. They crack me up!

The Gun Story:

Last week I had a garage sale. This guy that came to the sale wanted to buy an item but wanted to come back later that evening to buy it. Fine. He never shows. Whatever.

The next morning, we hear this pounding on our door at 8am. Its a Saturday, and while not everyone has the luxery of sleeping in on Saturday, we do. We were sleeping. Mike jumps out of bed and scrambles to get to the door. When he walks out of our room he sees the yardsale guy standing in our livingroom!!! We DO lock our doors at night (and I have them locked during the day when Im home alone with the kids) so after figuring out that we weren't in immediate danger and kicking the guy out, Mike asks Caleb if he let the guy in. He did. Looooong talk later, Caleb understands that we dont open doors EVER to strangers. And Mike says, "We are buying a gun today!" While we've talked about it for years, there has always been something more important to buy and we've just never done it. Well, Im proud to say we now own a gun. And I'm a pretty good shot, just to warn you! ;)

Thoughts:

So, these last few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions for me. Leaving our beautiful state where everything is blooming and changing, and life is starting afresh once again is really hard! Just being honest! I love the mountains, the sunrises here, the fact that it's 60 degrees in the morning when I go running with my friend, the green grass all year round, and most of all I love how close we are to Knoxville! Its a bustling city full of life and there are always things to do! We live so close to everything so its easy to get around. And I also feel comfortable here because I know this place.

All of these things are great. They are fabulous really. I'll admit, I've been spoiled! But God has something greater for us in Minnesota! It has taken me awhile to come to this conclusion- like, five years. But God has done an amazing work in my heart recently, and I am truly excited to see what He has in store for us. I think its going to be hard to beat what He's given us here, but God is ABLE to do anything! So I think that life in Minnesota is going to be awesome. Mostly because I will have my amazing husband there, and my three sweet children.

Have a blessed day!

A taste of Spring

2011-03-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Tid-bits

2011-03-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

Well, this is what my livingroom looks like right now. We have plastic totes and boxes stacked up, furniture sitting out of place ready for the yard sale, and toys pretty much in every room; although the toy part is just everyday life around here.
Moving is truly an adventure. I am really excited, nervous, sad, apprehensive, and eager to go. Mike has known we would one day move to Minnesota since he came to Tennessee, so its no surprise that we are finally going. Its actually a sense of relief to know we will be where God has called us. However, the downside to all that is that we are leaving Tennessee. All of my friends are here, my church, my home, my neighbors, everything I have known since we've been married has been here. I know we will make friends in Minnesota, start a new church there, have new neighbors and grow accustomed to the weather (maybe), but it will different. It wont feel like home, or be comfortable. It will be strange and new. And although that is exciting in one way, it's sad in another.

But if my husband and I truly believe that this is what God has called us to do (which we do), then we will make it and be okay.

So, in other news, I think we can safely say that Abbie is potty-trained now. It's been almost 5 days of consistent runs to the bathroom, followed by huge grins and an organic fruit snack treat. Sam also finds the bathroom facinating so maybe we can start on him next!

Awww, aren't they cute? Notice Sam's huge choppers? He has been using them to chomp on various parts of my body- arms, shoulders, legs, neck, whatever happens to be close. I am working on solving this issue, but it's taking longer than it did with Caleb and Abbie. One good bite back and they were cured. Sam must have tougher skin...

My little man is growing up too fast! He is just a few days shy of being 10 months old! He is changing so fast- making hilarious faces, laughing at silly things, saying "mama" and "dada" and "baba" (which is bye-bye). Its too cute.

Yes, Caleb is holding a fantastically large Nerf gun that his Daddy bought a few days ago. That makes four that we now own. Mike claims to have bought it for Caleb, but I have my doubts...

Let me just say that we love our kids. We really do. God has been so good to us, blessing us with these little ones to love and train. I truly believe that if you love your kids and love God, that's all you need to raise a family. And we have both of those ingredients!

I just can't take enough pictures of me and my sweet boy!

My blue-eyed beauty. She is such a doll! Although she is by far my most challengin child, she is also very sweet and loving. We all get lots of hugs and kisses from our princess, and many many smiles too!

Silly kids! They beg for ice cream all the time, and fortunately for them, Grandpa and Grandma Frey were around this time. :)

Hope your week is blessed of God!

Smokey Mountain Family

2011-02-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

Nice day, Go play

2011-02-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the nice weather

2011-02-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

Ready to go to the park!
Running and eating.

Content to chew and watch.

Happy boy!

Boy on bike chasing girl.

Thirsty after all that running.

Bath time (at the cabin)

Fun in the tub!

Have a great week!

The View From Here

2011-02-11T16:05:00.000-08:00

At the cabin in the Smokies
In memory of my sweet baby boy, Nathan. Thank you to everyone who sent cards, prayers, and kind thoughts.

Sam trying on Abbie's new sunglasses from her birthday party. He's a hunk!

At the cabin in Gattlinburg. Relaxing and fun to get away for a night!

Dr. Frey will be performing your surgery today.

Bee-utiful!

2011-02-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

These are the beautiful flowers my sisters, Heidi and Brittany, sent 2 weeks ago when we had Nathan. They were so gorgeous! Mike and I were touched and so grateful for such a sweet gesture! They lasted up until just a few days ago....
....when I set them outside because they were wilting and I thought the sun might perk them up. But instead they drew a crowd---of bees!

I believe the bees thought it was spring because there were about 20 of them swarming all over collecting as much pollen as their legs could hold!! It was incredible to watch and fun for the kids to see too! We explained alot about bees collecting pollen and making honey- they also knew alot because they had seen The Bee Movie.

And, in other news, Abbie got a haircut today! No, she didnt get ahold of a scissors. Mama got tired of her "mullet" and chopped it all off in the back! Hopefully, it will grow thick and even now- all over her head and not just in the back on the bottom. :)

Bangs make her look so different! i dont think we'll keep them, but they are fun for a change right now.

Family

2011-01-28T12:36:00.000-08:00

Abigale today...

Caleb today....

Sam is pulling up on everything!

Some homeschool projects.... practicing our letters in flour.

Making cookies is also a great way to teach measuring, colors, and what each ingredient does to make the cookie!

A rainbow of sweet colors!

Painting magnets for a craft.

My sweet baby Sam with Mommy!

Thank you all for your prayers and love. God has blessed us so much! Our precious Nathan is missed everyday, I think about him all the time; but I also think about how happy he is with Jesus, and my sorrow fades. It helps to have three other very busy little children to keep me going. I also have a fantastic husband who has been so adoring and kind these past few weeks. I am blessed beyond all measure!

I have listened to the song "I Keep Praying" everyday for this past week. Singing the words has helped me lean on the Lord and kept me close to Him. I wanted to share just a few phrases:

I'm in another valley, where I cannot see the sun.

My eyes find no more tears to cry

and my heart just feels numb.

The longer this valley, the darker it feels,

With shadows all around me

the Spirit bids me kneel.

I keep praying- when life seems so unfair.

I keep praying- because I know He answers prayer.

I keep praying- when the world around me falls.

I keep praying- for He is my all in all.

The only reason I can even stand...

is I keep praying!

I'm trusting in God's promise, my heart is steadfast, Lord.

You said you'd never leave me, and I know you keep your Word.

Strengthen me with power, according to your might,

for endurance and patience, as I travel through this night.

I keep praying- when life seems so unfair.

I keep praying- because I know He answers prayer.

I keep praying- when the world around me falls.

I keep praying for He is my all in all.

The only reason I can even stand...

is I keep praying!

Nathan

2011-01-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

Our precious baby boy, Nathan, was born Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:49am. He was 6 inches long and weighed 1.7 ounces. I was 15 weeks pregnant with him.

At my regular prenatal appointment on Wednesday, the doctors could not find a heartbeat. After concluding that a hemmorrhage in my uterus had caused Nathan's placenta to detach, they induced my labor Thursday night. Mike and I went to the hospital early Friday morning and Nathan was born several hours later. He was so perfect and beautiful in every way. We didn't really know what to expect because we had never seen a baby so tiny, but he was perfect. That's the only way I can describe him. The nurses and doctor were so very kind and gave us all the time we wanted to hold him and love on him. We cried. We prayed. We cried some more. We took pictures and talked to him. We prayed and told God that He had formed him in my womb and belonged to Him from the beginning and we were grateful for the 15 weeks I carried him. He is resting so peacefully in Jesus' arms now; it is such a comfort to know we will see him again one day, along with his four brothers/sisters that are there too.

After the nurses took Nathan away, Mike and I held each other and cried. Crying is good, it lets your emotions and feelings out. God meant for humans to cry. We shouldn't waste our tears, but there is a time for weeping. Grief is hard, but you have to pass through it. We are passing through it now. We are sharing and letting go. God has been so very good to us; He has given us three beautiful living children that we cherish and love so much! It doesnt lessen pain though, to think of what you have, because you can only think of what you've lost. In time, Nathan's birth and death will not be as painful. When I hear a newborn's cry, I won't cry. When I see a tiny diaper or a pregnant mother, I won't cry. I will be happy. Life will go on. Our saddness will fade and the sun will shine again.

But right now I am grieving. I have lost. I am empty of the babe that I was carrying. God is here beside me, holding me. Mike is here beside me, holding me. My family and friends are holding me. The prayers of so many of holding me. I will get through.

My sweet Nathan, one day I will hold you in heaven with a smile on my face and we will see Jesus together! I love you and will never forget you. I will always have a place for you in my heart!

Winter is here

2011-01-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

Looking out our dining room window...

Caleb was so excited about the snow and we thought it was because he wanted to play in it. Apparently he was excited for another reason (eating it!!).

Mike playing "train" with the kids.

This is a picture of Sam trying to crawl from a few weeks ago. Now, he is crawling all over and pulling himself up on all the furniture too!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

Itsbeentoolongsinceiposted.

2011-01-11T11:12:00.000-08:00

Mike trying on a hat in the mall

Ha! It looks like Sam is wearing a wreathe on his head!

Abbie sledding in MN

"The Hill"

Caleb was ready to go!

Caleb and cousin Micah

Abbie and cousin Micah

Superheroes!

Sam opening his first Christmas present

Grandpa tickling Abbie

Great Grandpa Joe with Abbie, Sam, and Caleb

All of us with Grandpa Joe

Baby- 13 weeks

2011-01-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

November

2010-12-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

Wow! The month of November just flew by! I don't think I posted very much but hopefully these pictures will make up for it!

Mike's parents and siblings came down from Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with us. Turned out to be beautiful weather for several of the days they were here- Thanksgiving Day was just gorgeous! In the 70's!

Grandpa Frey took all the kids fishing on Monday- our kids had never been fishing so it was quite the experience for them!
Abbie screamed at the top of her lungs and ran away after Mike brought in the fish she caught. She was the first one to catch a fish, BTW!

Caleb, Micah, Grandpa Frey, and Ryan with a fish Julie caught.

Daddy and Abbie fishing together- she really seemed to enjoy it, until it came to actually taking the fish off the hook and holding it! Ha ha! I think we may need to work on our fishing skills if we are going to live up in the Frozen Tundra!

Sam got his face painted at the Fantasy of Trees this year- he is Rudolph, in case you didn't guess! ;)

Uncle Jim and Abbie

Cleaning out Sebastian the Hermit crab's cage with the boys.

Annie, Julie, Autumn and Abbie

Big eyes!

Mike and I in Gattlinburg

Cousins, Micah and Caleb, in Gattlinburg

Me and Annie

Caleb, Micah, Ryan and Abbie in the RV

Me and Caleb

Four

2010-12-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

2010-11-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

Play day

2010-10-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Run Children, run!

Abbie got upset when Caleb "arghed" like a pirate. We were playing pirates, hiding in our secret fort in the forest!
Three little pirates hiding...
Not sure how this picture ended up being upside down, but just tilt your head and you can see it. (ha ha!) Im not computer savvy enough to figure out how to change it

"Arrrrrrgh!"

He he he he!!!

Trecking through the woods to look for gold. Didn't find any....

Had to cross the raging river to get away from the bad guys. Kids' imaginations have no end!

I love her little reflection in the water.

Such a lady!

This little creek was a big hit! It was over 80 degrees on Tuesday- probably the last time the kiddos will go barefoot this year! We all enjoyed the day so much!

Thanks for looking! Have a great day everyone!

Firstborn

2010-10-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Pretty Toes!

2010-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Samuel

2010-10-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Park

2010-10-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

More pictures

2010-10-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Lest anyone think that Mike and I aren't madly in love- here is a picture of us. :) I'm usually the one snapping shots, and we never think to take pictures of US!
We painted pumpkins today for our craft and the kids absolutely LOVED it! Caleb decided to make his into a turkey and it turned out really great!

Thing 1-

and Thing 2-

......also affectionately known as "MY BOYS!"

Fall Church Fellowship

2010-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, many of the people in our church gathered at the Collins' house to have a bonfire and hayride. I must admit that I didn't think many people would come (forgive my lack of faith, Lord), but so many did and it turned out to be a marvelous day! It was the perfect temperature and we played games, roasted hotdogs and marshmellows, tossed some horseshoes, and went on a beautiful hay ride! A great day with great people!

My guy and me

This.... is a tractor

Mike chatting it up

Double the stickiness, Double the fun!

I LOVE this picture of Abbie running! She is like a streak of lightning- there's a flash and she's gone!

do you read this blog?

2010-10-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

If you read this blog, leave a comment in the comment box for me. Sometimes it feels like Im posting pictures for no reason but if you enjoy this blog, let me know! Its encouraging! Thank you!

Samuel's teeth

2010-10-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

October

2010-10-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

Samuel and Caleb in the outfits the Grampa and Gramma Frey sent!
Abbie doing her "school" which is really coloring. She likes feeling like a big girl saying she is doing her school though. :)

Samuel poking his head out of the new baby wrap I just bought on craigslist! I've been looking for one specific one for a long time, and the Lord finally provided one! I got a fantastic deal on it!

The kiddos with the boxes of goodies the Frey Grandparents sent! Thank you!

Hot Air Balloon Festival

2010-10-08T05:56:00.000-07:00

The Hot Air Balloon Festival was a big hit for our kids! They loved the balloons, music, and snacks! We joined our friends, Tim and Annabel at the college campus to watch the balloons light up to the music. A very neat experience!

This is just a cute picture of Abbie and me at home. Had to throw it in!

September

2010-09-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

Mike with Samuel and Ellie (one of the children I babysit). Sam wasn't very happy at the time...
Abbie and Daddy watching a movie.

The beautiful flowers my amazing hubby got me a few days ago, just because he loves me!

Mike with Samuel- he is such a good Dad!

Caleb trying on costumes at the store. He liked the horse one!

Abbie at the playground. She has beef jerky in her mouth, but I still think she looks like a little nymph! So cute!

Tennessee Valley Fair

2010-09-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

First candy apple of her life- she loved it!

Samuel was so good the entire time!

Family picture...

Another family picture!

Happy September!

2010-09-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

In the baby carrier on my chest, Sam is a happy camper!

Trying to stand on Daddy's chest. He is already trying to crawl!!

Harvey and Caleb hanging out in the truck

At the museum of appalachia

Angry face!

Museum of Appalachia

At the Zoo

2010-09-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

Little Blessings

2010-09-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

Car Wreck

2010-08-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Mike was heading home last night after having new tires put on our van when another driver hydroplaned and hit the back of the van sending it into the concrete barrier on the interstate. He bounced off that and flew back across the road and into the ditch. Praise the Lord that he wasn't seriously injured! The paramedics took him to the hospital where they did x-rays on his neck because it was hurting him. No broken bones, but he is very sore and his neck hurts alot. Please pray for him and join us in thanking God for His goodness and mercy!!!

New Jersey

2010-08-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Driving up to NJ to see our good friends, Pastor Dominick Cuozzo and his wife Nicole, we passed this burning van on the side of the interstate. Praise the Lord it looked like no one was hurt, and reminded us of how good God is to give us mercies as we travel!
Awake....

Sleeping......Zzzzzzz..... so much quieter!

Samuel did great traveling!

Mike got us both I "heart" NY shirts after he went to NYC with our youth group.

Caleb and Olivia. Olivia is Dom and Nikkie's little girl. She is 3 mo. older than Abigale; they loved playing together.

Samuel grinning!

Frank, Olivia, Caleb and Abbie playing in the Cuozzo's backyard.

Boys and their toys! Frank is 3 mo. older than Caleb so they played really well too!

Dr. Jekyl......

and Mr. Hyde. Ha ha! Not really, but some days it seems like that!

Mike helping Pastor Cuozzo (Dominick) with VBS

Pastor Dominick!

The kids had to dress up for VBS one night- Olivia and Abbie

Caleb's outfit.... what can I say? He's supposed to be an Egyptian....

Frank dressed up for VBS

The kids playing in the yard

Dominick and Nicole Cuozzo. We had such a wonderful time with them!

Abbie and Olivia!

Happy 4th Birthday Caleb!

2010-08-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

Caleb's gift from dad and mom!

Pool Time Fun

2010-07-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

It's been so hot and humid lately! I love it! And the kids love diving into water to cool off during the day. Our friends have one of those fun blue pools and invited us over for a dip. So refreshing!

Campfire at Tim's place

2010-07-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Family Night in Downtown Knoxville

2010-07-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

2010-07-14T07:27:00.001-07:00

New Events

2010-07-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Driving up to church- we are so in love!! We are excited to be celebrating our 5th anniversary this month! Planning on going to Myrtle beach for the weekend at the end of July. Yeah!!!
My great friend Annabel and I downtown watching the fireworks on the 4th.

Annabel's hubby, Tim, with the kids watching the fireworks. You can see Mike's feet standing in the background- I was holding Sam alot of the time and only managed to snap a few pictures, so this is the best shot of my sweet hubby. Sorry Mike!!

Samuel, looking curiously at mommy. ;)

Fourth of July, Caleb blowing his bubble whistle. He got his mouth washed out with soap!! Ha HA!! It kind of backwashed into his mouth, but he still loved it!

Abbie giving me a "look" while playing with her bubble whistle.

The cute onesie that a dear friend made for Sam.

Mike and I at the Cracker Barrel after whitewater rafting with our youth group.

Caleb and Abbie on the 4th.

Out to dinner with Seth and Molly on Seth's birthday. Yummy!!

Auntie Molly with Sam.

Mike in front of the Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge. We had so much fun with Seth and Molly while they were here visiting!!

Seth and Molly at the restaurant with us on Seth's birthday.

Put-put golf with the family. Caleb enjoyed it immensely!

Look Mom!! I got and orange one!!!

Molly and I- mini-golf partners!!

Seth helping Abbie with her golfing skills!

Smiling cuz they're having fun!!

My Chubby Sam

2010-06-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Sam sleeping at the park.

Sam bright-eyed!
Sam sleeping at IHOP.
A close-up of Sam sleeping at IHOP.

2010-06-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

Who's hyped on coffee? Not me!

Abbie

2010-06-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

So many different faces!!

Children's Museum

2010-06-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Abbie playing in the waterworks at the Children's Museum.

The life-size doll house was the biggest hit of the day for the kids! They all loved cooking in the little kitchen!
Chef Caleb whipping up something tasty!
Caleb trying out the baby bed upstairs
Abbie coming downstairs to check out what the other kids are doing.
Always wash after using the restroom!
Old fashion telephones are fun to play with!!

East TN Discovery Center

2010-06-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Family Visit

2010-06-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

My brother and sister were able to come down for a visit this past week. We had a great time hanging out together and doing some fun things! One of which was whitewater rafting!! Here's Mike and Noah sitting across from Heidi and I at the Cracker Barrel after we got done rafting. Water sports make you really hungry!

Guys being... guys.

Heidi and I in the car after rafting! Whoo-hoo!

The dam and some of the rapids we went down.

Here are Caleb and Abbie at the little water park near our house. By "water park" I mean a park with a water area.

Abbie loved the shooting water!

Tim and Mike at the bowling alley. They are very fond of each other.

Best friends, actually. I know, its hard to believe.

Tim and his lovely wife, Annabel- a near and dear friend of mine. Actually, we are great friends with Tim and Annabel- they are the best!

Mike gets very excited when he gets a strike. He gets alot of them- way to go, Honey!

Mike showing Caleb how to bowl-Caleb actually seemed to enjoy the video game section more than bowling. Boys....

Heidi and Abbie chillin' while waiting their turn.

Mike getting Caleb all geared up to bowl.

On our way to go bowling!

Me and my besty!

The FreyHouse

2010-06-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

We have lots of fun here in the Frey House, so I thought I'd share a few pictures I took today of our unique family. Here we have Mike and Abbie, affectionately hugging after wrestling around and tickling. So sweet.

Then we have Abbie, again, trying on a pair of Mike's socks and prancing around the living room, giggling and saying "Look at me!"
Here is Abbie trying to squeeze Sam's sweet lil' cheeks while he looks at Dad helplessly.
And here is Sam grimacing (we call it "smiling") at Mike and I while we prop him up for a photo shoot of his cute little shoes that I bought him today. Unfortunately, you can only see the bottoms, so you'll just have to take my word that they are ADORABLE~! :)

Strawberry picking!

2010-05-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

On a very hot day this past week, early in the morning, I decided to take all three of my kids strawberry picking. By the time I actually got myself and them ready and in the car, it was noon- not exactly the prime time to go out in the hot sun. After lathering up the kids in sunscreen and hiking up to the field, we happily began our hunt for berries. I have only been strawberry picking one other time here in TN and it wasn't that great, so I was looking forward to a better experience this time! Unfortunately, it was very similiar to my first experience. Because of the humidity here in the south, the berries mold almost as soon as they ripen, so we ended up picking only about a pound of decent berries, since there were pretty slim pickin's! Ha ha!! BUT, the good news is that we had an awesome time together! Caleb is an excellent berry picker and Abbie is great at eating them almost as fast as we get them in the bucket! Sam slept the entire time on my chest in the baby wrap; such a good baby!

Off we go!

Samuel, sleeping soundly on my chest.

Look Mom!!! These are all the berries I found!

This is Abbie holding Caleb's bucket since hers was... ummm.... empty. She ate them all.

Walking through the fields.

Heading back to the car.

Sam and Mom today. He is 16 days old!

Sam and I again!

Sam- 5 days old

2010-05-20T10:21:00.001-07:00

more pics

2010-05-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Samuel Owen Frey, born May 12 at 5am

2010-05-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

Samuel Owen Frey, 7 lbs. 5 oz. Born May 12 at 5am

2010-05-12T15:21:00.001-07:00

Girl's Night Out!

2010-05-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

My friend Annabel, Abbie, and I went and got our toesies done the other day. If I'm going into labor anytime soon, my toes have GOT to look good, don't they? :) No, the real reason was we girls just wanted a night to ourselves to relax and have some fun! Abbie just loved it and all the sweet Asian ladies in the shop "ooohed" and "ahhhed" over her. She got spoiled, basically. It was great!

"This is the color I want Mom!"

Annabel was gracious enough to let Abbie sit in her lap since mine was, uh, too large. :)

Let the countdown begin! Due date is May 21, so thats, let's see- 15 days from today! Yeah!!! Maybe he will come on Mother's Day! How special would that be!

Random

2010-05-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Uncle Dave and Mom helping Abbie build her flower pot chair at the Home Depot. The kids loved hammering nails and banging away at the wood! Abbie had no fear with the hammer- until she hit herself in the face with the back of the hammer. :) She was a little more cautious after that but still fearless!
Lovin' it!

Mike and Caleb working on his project. Caleb did a great job and is much more detail oriented than Abbie. He's a very focused 3 yr. old!

Abbie swinging. Just had to throw this in cuz she's so stinkin' cute!

Mike's Graduation

2010-05-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Mike and I at Five Guys Burgers N' Fries the afternoon of his graduation. I think its the only shot of just him and me that we got that day! Weird...

A happy Mike. He is finally done with school!!!

Abbie, Autumn, and Caleb sitting by the fountain in the Crown College the Sunday night before his graduation. They had a lovely meal for all the grads and their families after the service!

Mike and Abbie at Five Guys.

Mike's parents brought down a very special gift for Mike. When Mike was 6 years old, he knelt on a trapdoor in the old farmhouse he grew up in and asked Jesus to save him. Mike's parents saved the trapdoor (the house was later destroyed by the next owners) and Dave (Mike's older brother) framed it and made it all beautiful. They had it engraved and presented it to Mike just a short while after the graduation ceremony. It was a very special time!

Mike, waiting to go forward for his Masters Diploma.

Mike and Pastor Sexton presenting him with his diploma!

More Maternity Pics

2010-04-09T17:22:00.001-07:00

I absolutely LOVE Megan Parker's photography and have been drooling over it for months now! Mike and I planned on having the baby's newborn pictures done with her, so when the opportunity presented itself to have maternity AND newborn sessions done in a package deal, we went with it! Megan offered a great deal we couldn't pass up! I don't consider myself an overly vain person (especially towards the end of a pregnancy!) so disregard how many photos of myself I've posted lately. ;) I am normally not this picture-happy; just happy to be pregnant with out third child and enjoying it!

Resurrection Sunday and more!

2010-04-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

A cute picture of the kidlets!
WHAT?!?! I can't hear you!

Daddy and daughter

Mike thought it would be funny to dip Abbie's face in his strawberry shortcake. The kids LOVED it and couldnt stop laughing!!!

Resurrection Sunday- Abigale

Caleb is such a ladies' man! Darlene and Caleb are best friends!

Trying to get a good picture of my little man is hard these days! He's a mover!

Caleb and Abigale

Abbie being cute!

Happy April 1st!

2010-04-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

It has been so warm here lately, and we have taken full advantage of the nice weather!! We love the warmth, and welcome spring and summer with open arms!! Time to get out the flip-flops and shorts, the gardening tools and flowers, and the sunscreen! I forgot how easily little ones burn after being in the sun for just a few minutes! Yikes!

Mike is wrapping up all of his classes at the college and looking forward to graduating May 3! What an accomplishment for him and a huge relief to be done with school! I am so thankful for a great guy who has stuck it out and finished the course! I know he gets discouraged and weary at times, but he is a man of character- what a great example to our kids!

I am on the last leg of my pregnancy- Lord willing- and looking forward to the day I deliver this child!!! He is a squirmy little guy! I let Caleb feel him kicking and moving around one day, and he turned to me and said, "That's disgusting Mom." And walked away. :) To each his own I guess! Abbie thinks she has a baby in her belly and walks around lifting her shirt telling people "I have baby in my belly! Mommy has baby in belly!" I....don't think she quite understands it yet, but she will soon!

There are great things ahead of us this summer! It seems almost every week there is going to be something happening, which I absolutely love! We are planning a trip with our youth group to New Jersey in August to help out some friends who have just begun to pastor a church there. And Mike and I are planning a little weekend getaway for our anniversary in July! yeah! The Lord has been so good to us, and we are praying about so many things that He has planned for our future! Please pray with us as Mike and I have many decisions to make about the direction of our lives. I have no idea how many people even read this blog, but we covet your prayers! Thank you!!!

Okay, now for pictures, the real reason you came here! ;)

Abbie and Caleb

A "nice" picture.
32 wks 4 days preggo! Every day counts!!

Getting ready to go see Dad at Cracker Barrel!

Caleb, Ezra and Eli enjoying ice cream cones on a hot day (today!)

Look Mom! I got ice cream on my nose!!

Abbie showing me her ice cream

All the kidlets- a very happy bunch!

Ooooh! With the nice weather we have been able to landscape a bit. Here is a "before" picture.

And here is the "after" picture! Our friend Tim and his brother Scott came and did all the work for us.

2010-03-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Dressed up for church!
Dad and Caleb with Caleb's snow crab legs- Mike used his birthday gift card and treated us to Red Lobster today after church! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Johnson!!! Delicious!

We had a youth activity on Saturday and Caleb was lovin' the great weather!

Dad and Caleb opening up Caleb's first savings account at the bank!

Abbie being cute!

Caleb and Abbie coloring!

PIctures

2010-03-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

One of Caleb's many favorite things to do is CLIMB! This was at the park the other day...
Cheesy smile but still so cute!

Little Miss Attitude! ;)

At the park on the swings- so much fun!

Close up of Abbie

Tea party with rocks- only happens when a boy joins the party!

30 weeks pregnant!!! Hurray!

Such a cutie- I can't help but take a ton of pictures of her!

Silly girl!

Goofy boy- he was being silly on the swings!

He LOVES riding his bike in the park!!!

Once again, our cutie!

End of February 2010

2010-03-02T11:26:00.000-08:00

Caleb riding his car a few days ago on a nice day.
Abbie outside coloring on the walkway

Autumn and Mike at the Couples Retreat in Gattlinburg

Couples Retreat photo

The Frey Family

*Update*

So much has happened....

new stuff

Some Fall Frey Family Friendly Pictures

Its Fall Y'all!

Visit to Tennesse

Abbie Dances!

Our BABY!

Random

Sam and Abbie

Bounce N Ball fun with the Cousins

Caleb lost his first tooth!

Caleb's 5th Birthday!

Beach Fun

Accidents happen.

Fourth of July

Baby Benjamin

My Beelers

Drama

Happy Birthday Samuel!

Easter 2011

Storm of the century

Busy but FUN days!

Whatchya lookin' at?

here and there

21 Days

The Wilderness Waterpark in Sevierville, TN

Girls Night Out Pedicure

Gun Rnage with Family

Bass Pro Shop, Guns, and Thoughts

A taste of Spring

Tid-bits

Smokey Mountain Family

Nice day, Go play

Enjoying the nice weather

The View From Here

Bee-utiful!

Family

Nathan

Winter is here

Christmas 2010

Itsbeentoolongsinceiposted.

Baby- 13 weeks

November

Four

Play day

Firstborn

Pretty Toes!

Samuel

Park

More pictures

Fall Church Fellowship

do you read this blog?

Samuel's teeth

October

Hot Air Balloon Festival

September

Tennessee Valley Fair

Happy September!

At the Zoo

Little Blessings

Car Wreck

New Jersey

Happy 4th Birthday Caleb!

Pool Time Fun

Campfire at Tim's place

Family Night in Downtown Knoxville

New Events

My Chubby Sam

Abbie

Children's Museum

East TN Discovery Center

Family Visit

The FreyHouse

Strawberry picking!

Sam- 5 days old

more pics

Samuel Owen Frey, born May 12 at 5am

Samuel Owen Frey, 7 lbs. 5 oz. Born May 12 at 5am

Update