Cookies Part 2

Time to decorate. This is a big affair that requires us to divide it up into two days... two messes.






The tongue technique really seems to help Isaac.







Aaron loving the gingerbread man he did not make.


A crown for the senior princess.


Zach says, "He built an awesome tree, didn't he?"


A tree covered in pink, perfect for the junior princess.


Someone hollered, "Make funny faces!"



To me this is hilarious. Notice as the older siblings are doing the goofy face thing the youngest wises up and takes the opportunity to pick out his favorite when no one is looking. Smart kid!


The finished products! A job well done.

Sugar Cookies, Phase One

Finally got to do some baking this weekend. The kids are always excited to do the sugar cookies. My mom has a sour cream recipe that is my personal favorite for oh-so-soft sugar cookies. At our house this is a messy job as it requires two batches of dough, about 10 cookie cutters, several bowls of frosting and a million sprinkles.

The girls were the fist to dive in.


My shy girls could hardly pull off a pose.


Aaron was right in the thick of things. You know boys, always looking for a way to "dirty" their fingers and then lick them clean.








Isaac jumped in for few but did not last as he was drawn the the basement where the was a fierce competition between Scott and Zach in a video game. They love taking on their dad and seeing if they can beat him. Needless to say the older males never made their way up to do the baking.


Still more licking to do......


Down the the knuckles good.......not to miss a morsel.


Here's Miss E taking charge of the cooling portion while I supervised the dough side of things.





Tomorrow, Phase 2.

One Foot in the Grave

Part of my responsibilities at the school where I work is to take two boys to the gym to "get rid of some wiggles." One of the little guys, Mr. "J" (I will call him) is always full of fun, compliments, and entertaining conversation. He has been known to hold my hand, tell me, and many other women, in the hall that we're beautiful, he tells me he loves me (how do you handle that one in a public school and be "PC?") and he has even talked of our future betrothal despite the fact I reminded him that I already have a husband and 5 children.

Last week as we were walking down the hall to the gym Mr. J asked me, "When was it that you had your birthday?" I told him it was the 5th. He inquired, "How old did you say you were?" I reminded him (this was not the first time we had this conversation) that I was now 40. Without hesitation and great confidence he proclaimed, "You're going to die." A bit taken aback I pondered how to respond. I said, "Well, we all are going to die sometime." After that came out of my mouth I worried that that might start to snowball in a direction I hadn't intended. Thankfully Mr. J ignored what I said and repeated that I was going to die. I am not sure what was going through his head but apparently to a 6 yr old a 40 yr old woman already has one foot in the grave. Someone call the mortician and make my reservation.

Soap Story #2

So tonight at shower time the younger boys were finishing when I came in to hear a proclamation by the youngest Sterner "man" who was standing with towel in hand, covered in a rather large amount of bubbles. Aaron ever-so-proudly announces with great confidence, "The girls are going to like me!"

Rather than rebuking the interest in the female species I decided to see where this came from and where it was heading. You know, sometimes in life you need to create your own entertainment. That is exactly what I chose to do.

I pressed him further as to why that was. His response, "I used the 12 hour man soap and the girls (pronounced giwls) really like that." He obviously doesn't know exactly how long twelve hours is. I couldn't leave it there so I prodded further, "How do you know that?" Aaron responds, "Zach tells me that sometimes. And they are really going to like me because I used it two times!" Picture with that last exclamation a little jumping and that cheesy 6 yr/old grin that covers his entire face. Oh how I wished I had heard the conversation between Isaac and Aaron as they were discussing their strategy moments earlier. Kids are soooo funny and I am glad I have so many to keep me laughing.

Tomorrow, a kindergartner's perspective on my age..........

Isaac Funny

Tonight when I was tucking Isaac in bed he asked me to get him up in time to shower in the morning. I found this particularly odd in light of the fact that he had just taken a shower.

My first thought was that he may be starting to take an interest in his hair and wanted it to look nice. Zach has to do this sometimes and I thought maybe he noticed. When I inquired as to why he would need a shower again in the morning he said, "because the shower soap said it was good for 12 hours Mom. So, I need to shower again in the morning."

Either good bodily hygiene is becoming important to him or there is someone he is wanting to impress. Better yet, I think I will just be thankful he is reading labels.

You Know You Are Old When....

Your babysitter is having kids of her own and your oldest can now sit for her. Yikes! There were two gals who braved the Sterner 5 in the young demanding years. This is one of the survivors, Miss Steph and her sweet little Emma. I am thrilled that in spite of all the "damage" we could have done she has jumped feet first into mothering as she is now expecting number 2! Congratulations Steve and Miss Steph. Love you guys.




Here are some of the many, many faces of this precious sweetheart. Seriously the personality revealed in her numerous expressions is handed straight down from her mama as she is the one who taught our Hannah all about being a drama queen. Your turn is coming Steph. :)





Seriously, how cute is this!





What talented tongue rolling.


Cracking herself up in the mirror with Hannah.


Now, notice this next series. There is one person who is predominantly present in most all of the following pictures. My middle boy has a heart the size of Texas and a sweet attention that comes without prodding for little ones. It is precious to this mama's heart. I am convinced that someday he will be an amazing husband and dad just like his father.


Not so sure Emma is loving all of his attention.


Genuine loving from the big guy.


Still in close proximity. That is Zach in the mask beside him. Didn't even phase Emma.


Emma might have thought a change of scenery would free her of her shadow....nope.





Up to the very minute she was going to leave Isaac remained at her side, helping her with her coat and giving her far more attention than any on-the-go toddler likely wants. Issac, you are my big teddy bear.


It was great seeing you girls. Thanks for taking the time to spend some time with us. What a treat! Come visit again any time you are back in Iowa. You are always welcome.

Neglected Birthdays

This has been a year of hit and miss (mostly miss) for birthday celebrations. It started in February when Zach decided to wait until summer to have a camp out with a few friends. Next came the May birthdays for Elizabeth and Isaac. We always put theirs off a few weeks because May is usually crazy.

Around roles June and the intention of having 3 b-day parties. June brought with it the floods of 08. As with many, this changed the course of our summer and all the parties got put on the back burner.

Elizabeth is the only one thus far that has persevered and managed to have a few friends over.



What is it about siblings jumping into pictures randomly?


Part of her party included a "spa" day for her and her friends, put on by Hannah and their good friend/neighbor Emma. Here Lexi gets her nails done.


Here Taylor enjoys the dual hand massage prior to her nail painting.


I provided attention to the hair portion of the pampering.


The final touches included lip gloss. When I saw this I pictured Hannah doing this for her little sister on her wedding day.......took my breath away. Time really is scooting and before I know it that will be reality. For now I chose to live in the moment.





Now for the showing off: Ta Da!!!!!


Such shy young ladies.


The party girls and their jr high make-over artists.

Even at 40!

Yes, as most all of you know I am a year older today. I am entering a new decade and doing so well because God is faithful and so very gracious to me. In spite of the craziness of our current lives I am blessed beyond measure! With that, humbly I will sing His praises today. I am so thankful for all the very precious people God has allowed to be part of my life. Thank you, each and every one of you, who call me friend.

At the request of a friend I succumb to her request to post the picture Scott took of me last week. While we were tiling the floors (pictures will follow sometime soon) the lights and music needed to be turned off. Since we couldn't walk on the floor I volunteered for the task. Once there I did take advantage of the opportunity to take a brief moment to check my email. What can I say, that calendar and my emails direct my life (right behind God's word that is). :)

Hey, at 40 I can still do this!

Someone Turned Six

It is true, the youngest Sterner turned 6 on Friday, November 28th. We had been counting down days for quite some time. Needless to say there was much joy on the little man's face on birthday morning.

As you can see one of the boys woke up eager for the days events while others were drug from slumber.


There was yet another who was not willing to show much enthusiasm for the holiday but this did not squelch Aaron enthusiasm, not in the slightest. I love this theme of super excitement as noted in this series of photos.


It is tradition to open presents on the morning of your birthday and since it was a holiday weekend there was no rush to get out the door to school.

Aaron really likes to draw/color and really loves Star Wars so this was a hit.


Bakagan is the other new interest, again notice his delight.








The Star Wars gun has realistic noises that make adults crazy. It made him squirm with delight when he pushed the trigger.


A two dollar bill brought forth the smile.


The Bennett Grandparents hit a home run too.


We couldn't start of the day without a rendition of "Happy Birthday." What is better than pancakes (the Sterner favorite) with M&Ms and song. I seriously love this smile!


We were in the process of finishing finishing the tile job in the kitchen and dining room (much thanks to the generous help from Grandpa and Grandma Sterner--pictures to come) so birthday festivities of a more formal nature were temporarily postponed. This went unnoticed because a) our live are crazy and a little unpredictable and b) because all three boys were enthralled by the fun of new toys.

The one thing I had not planned ahead was the cake. I didn't have an oven as it was parked by the front door. My boy simply asked for a chocolate cake for his birthday and with no where to cook one I had to suck it up and be robbed by Walmart. Ok, spending 8$ for this little cake has got to be a 90% profit racketeering. What is a mother to do in such a situation...... pay the price because her boy is worth it. The smile on his face, again, priceless!


Doesn't every 6 yr old have this "cheese" smile? Hillarious.



Aaron, your dad and I love you with all our heart. We count it an honor to be entrusted with you. You are growing up too fast! God has blessed us with 6 yrs of great joy and we cannot wait to see Him mold and shape who you are to become in the years to come. Happy Birthday sweet boy. What a treasure you are!