Computer Crash

Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice on cookware. We are thankful for the advice, yet we still have not made a decision.

For now, we have a different investment to be thinking about...a new computer....YUCK! We are both so bummed, but our computer has officially crashed. Therefore, we are without internet at home...You may not hear from me much over the next several days...or weeks... :(

I'll be back when our new computer arrives...

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Advice Needed: Comment NOW! (please;) )

We are in serious need of advice on making a new purchase:

Cookware!!

We initially bought a set of T-Fal teflon pans from Walmart and they worked fine for about 2 1/2 years, but now the teflon is flaking off! YUCK! Therefore, we are in the market for new pans. These are some of the guidelines/decisions we need to make:

1. Not interested in cheap pans that will need replaced within the next 10-15 years. Lifetime guarantee would be ideal.

2. Do we buy teflon/nonstick again or switch to stainless steel? (are stainless steel healthier for us?)

3. I'd love to have Pampered Chef - are they worth the price?

4. What other pans are good ones to consider?

5. MUST be dishwasher safe. No exceptions! ;)

What kind of cookware do you use? Do you like it? What do you wish you had?

Thanks for the help! ;)

Happier Times

Phone is back.

Van is back.

Headache is gone.

Nick is home.

All is good.

Sorry for complaining! :-)

No Good Very Bad Day

No phone.

No van.

Major Headache.

No Good.

Very Bad.

:-(

You amaze me...

Dear God,

Thank you for the friends that you have blessed me with. Sometimes, I wonder why you gave me soooooo many wonderful, Christian friends. Where would I be without their influence? You amaze me.

Thank you for safely bringing us together for our reunion last night. Once a year we are together ~ and once a year we become the best of friends all over again. I feel so blessed that we feel so comfortable together and that our conversations go from...um...well...private, to crazy, to laughter, to spiritually edifying, to comfort, advice, to memory lane, etc...We come from 6 very different paths of life yet there isn't a silent moment all night! Lord, you AMAZE me!

All I feel is thankfulness and amazement...but I do have one request, Lord....Next year - do you think you can give us more than just 6 hours together? Maybe an overnight trip? THAT would Amaze me! (of course, I'll still stand in awe of you if it by chance doesn't work out! :-) )

Love,

Jessica

Snow FUN!

We all bundled up and took advantage of the beautiful snowfall this afternoon! We had such a blast! Carter was so excited to wear his "new" (thanks to Gabe) snow boots and snow pants!

Poor Mason didn't have any special gear, so his legs and feet got a little cold and wet! He didn't mind too much! :-)

Here they are before take-off. If you can't tell, they are saying "Cheeeeeeeese!"

Mason giggled the whole time while on the sled, but his favorite part was eating the snow!

So, we decided to make real snow cones! Yum! We filled our cups up with snow....

Then took them inside and flavored them with grape juice!

What a fun day! Thanks to Nick for doing all the pulling. I know he had to be exhausted because he mentioned buying a snowmobile someday....Just what we need..Ha!

Next snowday:

1. Build a snowman

2. Snowball Fight!

Did you spend any time playing in the snow today?????

The things kids say...

Me: Awe, Carter you are my favorite little 3 year old, but you'll only be my little 3 year old for one more month! Can you believe it?

Carter: Yeah, 'cause I'm gonna turn to 4

Me: Yep, then you'll have to be my favorite little 4 year old!

Carter: (in deep thought) Yeah, mommy and on your next birthday you're gonna be 25!! (in a surprised and loud voice) THAT'S OLLLLDDDD!

Oh my...I got quite the giggle out of that one! Hope you do too! ;)

Have a great Monday!

New Found Energy!

I LOVE energy! I finally know what it is like to have it again! :) I am now 19 weeks along and my energy level is super high! YAY! Now it's time to make up for all of the hours spent on the couch and in my bed! All kitchen cupboards are cleaned and organized ~ now on to the office!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Five children under 5 = CraZy Fun TiMes!

Carter & Mason waiting for the BIG ARRIVAL...

They were seriously this excited! They waited by this window for 5 minutes or more!

5 minutes after the arrival...

(Mason is laughing hysterically in this picture!! and yes, that is a full sized trampoline in our basement...remember, I'm married to NICK FIECHTER! ) :)

Okay...so the group picture didn't go well...LOL!

(Gage was sleeping about 10 minutes after this pic...;) )

Oops...I had to slip this one in...its a "just in case" picture...hehe

Gage and I were great buddies! He is such a sweet snuggler!

Muuuuch better! These four played so well together!

Mason did his best to keep up!

We had such a wonderful time Monday night with the R. children! Thanks for sharing them with us, Grayson & Tara! Let us know when you are ready to go again! ;)

Thanks, Nick!

A few weeks ago, Nick put together these bunk beds for the boys. I was really excited because these are the very bunk beds my sister and I grew up sleeping on!

This was such a big event in the Fiechter household! We had one problem...

The top bunk no longer has a rail or a ladder!

YIKES! This does NOT work for a 3 year old! I'm guessing momma wouldn't sleep at night knowing my little guy could fall off and break an arm (or something worse!).

So...Daddy came to the rescue!

Nick created this awesome railing out of 2 - 8 ft. 1x4's of oak! He designed, cut, nailed, glued, stained, and secured it all by himself! (well...I guess I polyurethaned it....and I did a terrible job! eek! Sorry!)

Great job, honey!

He had a little extra wood so he created this cool shelf for the chalkboard!

He also made a coat rack with 3 little hooks on it for jackets/school bags. I may have to add a picture of that later. (boys are sleeping :) )