Hannah, Hannah and more Hannah

This entry is devoted to Hannah, not because she is favored but because she is in front of the camera more than anyone else in the family! Junior high kids just make me laugh. Before we head to pictures here is a poem Hannah wrote for school. It will add even greater insight into who she is. She is a performer.

FROM THE INSIDE
I get the jumbles in my stomach,
also joy, excitement,
a shiver goes down my spine.
Then I walk on stage.
My stomach jumps
when I look down at all the people.
The music starts,
I take deep breaths
then,
it just goes.
My soul rises
joy goes up in me.
I don't think about the people.
I lose all my worries.
I just let it all go.
It comes from the soul.
Nothing else.
I have joy in me.
I feel like an eagle
soaring through the sky.
I start slow
then, build to the sky.
I soar
when it comes to an end
I land, gentle.
Then I'm back in the world,
out of my own.
The music goes, then ends.
I hear the thunder of applause.
I take one breath,
smile.

by Hannah Sterner 12 yrs old

I will start here because it is my favorite! First, she is being normal, but also because I am tickled that it feels so natural for her to be in her daddy's arms. Someday her husband will appreciate this.



Hannah is now doing some babysitting for some people in our church. The family lives here in Tiffin. It is fun because Hannah walks over with Guillermo and we all get to enjoy him. I must admit that it made me feel my age. I remember doing the same thing in the small town I grew up in. Now I am the "older" mom of a "tweenager" out taking care of others. Yikes where has time gone?!



Gotta love the boots!



These now are the most familiar poses that I catch Hannah in (or may I say, that she catches herself in).



These are two of her great buddies from church at a conference in Chicago where they learned how to share their faith. They might have to begin by trying not to look so scary.



Again, more photos of her friends and her group leader in their hotel. Holly just happens to be the wife of Scott's tech director at church. Can you tell she is a lot of fun.



Here, Hannah is dreaming of the not so distant future where she will braces to help bring her teeth into a more normal alignment. "Just practicing" as she tells me. Truth of the matter is, I remember doing the same thing when I was about her age, only with a sliver and white barret.



One last one. Had to redeem her with a normal looking pose.

Back to March

March 31st was Scott's 36th birthday. It may seem initially that he has undergone some major changes or be having an early midlife crisis. Thankfully, it is not so. This is how my man gets down and plays with the kids. He loves cracking them up with the Urkel impression. What is really funny and actually shows our age is that none of our kids even know who Urkel is. Nevertheless they think their dad is hilarious.

So shy in front of the camera.


The kids love jumping into the drama as you can see. They just fuel the fire and play it up.


The big guy blowing out every candle we had in the house.


The other tradition or course are the card the kids present the honored person with. It is always fun to see their creativity or their "time-saving" efforts. This one appears to be Hannah's.


Aaron gives his dad his card.


Zach's usually has a lot of detail.


Peanut's (Elizabeth) card has stories and she gives a sack of homemade gifts. This year there was even a pool table, sticks, and balls made out of construction paper in her gift bag. You never know what you may find in there.


It seems that I may not have captured every card giver and their card but you get the idea. I must learn to be a little more intentional.

We were fortunate to have Scott's parents here visiting for this birthday and here is Grandma reading to a very eager audience, one of all ages.

Random Happenings Here in Iowa

For those who wonder what has been going on lately in our lives, here are some pictures to bring you up to speed.

This is Friday after school when there was "nothing" going on after school. A couple of Hannah's friends came to hang out and play on the wet trampoline.



Dinner time with room for children only at the table.



No idea what is going on here. A more clever writer could do some really fun things with this.



Elizabeth also had a friend sleeping over. A sweet little girl.



Recently one of our two favorite sitters from years past was back in town visiting. Miss Elly is heading to Taiwan soon to teach English there so it was extra special to have her reading stories again.



Hannah's traveling softball team finally had their first game this Thursday, or should I say at least 1.5 innings of it. At this point it started to rain with no end in sight. This should have been their 4th game.



This is Aaron doing, well, I am not exactly sure. Nevertheless, he wanted his picture taken this way.



Even Amos was perplexed at what the purpose of this photo shoot was.



In 5th grade the kids here participate in the D.A.R.E. program where they are taught facts about drugs and alcohol and how to deal with peer pressures that will likely arise. There are 3 5th grade classes and one person from each class was awarded for the "best" essay summarizing what they learned. Zach was chosen for his class. The winners then got to read their essay for the whole assembly.



Here they are being given their own miniature version of the DARE mascot.



This is Zach receiving his participation certificate from his teacher.



Miss E having fun on one of our first warm days outside.



Isaac ready for t-ball practice, game face on and everything.



This Thursday our dear friends, Emily and Josh, gave birth to their second child, Luke Timothy Malone. Josh is on staff at the church with Scott and any time you see them talking you know theology is in the mix. Emily and her daughter Rebekah come to our house almost every Friday to do life together. Needless to say, they are like family tous.

These guys have become some of our closest friends in less than two years so I just had to share some of the joy in my heart lately. I will also admit that this is a huge treat for me to get to be back up on the labor and delivery floor. I mean really, is there anything greater than "birth" day!!! Drugs in, pain away, baby out. Awesome! What a fun stroll down memory lane.............!

Luke is handsome and oh so sweet. I am in love all over again as his big sister has already captured a huge piece of my heart.



A better look at our friends.



Not to leave Miss Rebekah out, here is a picture of big sis on our trampoline a week or so ago. Isn't she a cutie.

Hearding the "cattle"

At the end of every visit to our friend's house we attempt to gather all the kids onto their couch for a photo. It is always entertaining trying to get everyone on the couch, looking the same direction, and with a half way decent look on their face. We have yet to take the "perfect picture." Here is our progression. As you can see it is always entertaining.

Everyone there but paying little attention to the two mothers directing traffic. Actually, I think Angela and I just watched and giggled for a little bit.



Getting close but still several Sterners not in position.



Almost have everyone with their eyes open and looking forward. Even managed to get both dogs in there.



It never fails, there is plenty of laugher on both sides of the camera. We have soo much fun together.



After the picture taking is done their three girls have not gotten enough of the Sterner madness and attempt to catch a ride back to Iowa. Notice my man is oblivious to any extra chaos is the back of the van. He's got a mission in mind and that is to get on the road, no matter who fills the back seats. :)



Shoot there is plenty of room for more according to my kids. They are not afraid to cozy up. Since there were not enough seat belts for the seatbelt patrolwoman of America, we had to unload the illegals and get on our marry way. Another great time and many more memories were made. Everyone should have friends like this.

Flyin' High

In the last post I explained that our friend George, in Wisconsin, is a pilot. Scott and the two oldest boys got to go on the ride of their life. I say that NOT because they were scared to death but because they had the time of their life! Here is their journey.

Here is the mode of transport.


Here, the boys are excited to get to be the two of eight kids to get to fly.


This is Mr. George explaining how they are to be completely quiet whenever he raises his hand. Look how serious their faces are!


These are the headsets they wore in order to communicate with one another during the flight.


I don't know about anyone else but the idea that George can manage this panel impresses me greatly! Way to go GS on being a licensed pilot.


Waiting for take off.


Flying over the our friend's neighborhood.


Lake Geneva, still mostly frozen. Brrr...


The view on the other side.


Here is a shot over Lake Michigan. If you click on this and make this picture bigger you can see the Chicago sky line in the upper right portion of the picture.


This facial expression came on the heels of George's announcement that their dad was now flying the plane.


The boys kissing the ground, grateful to still be alive. I don't know if that is because of their dad flying the plane or that their dad has a great sense of humor and staged the whole thing.


Still counting their blessings. Love Isaac's face.


This is basically a duplicate picture but they were both so funny I had to post them both.


What a great opportunity for the boys. Now the girls are asking when they get a turn!