Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Presenting...

NIKKI NYDEGGER!!! If anyone knows Nikki they know that is the perfect way to introduce her. She is our little performer, drama queen extradinar. There is always a show to put on, and they are always introduced as described above. Her first BIG performance was July 16th, 2001. I have to say this little girl brought such an amazing spirit with her. I remember not being able to say a prayer without crying because I felt so blessed to be a mom. Nikki was a great child. As most 1st children do, she got so much attention. I laugh now about how I was always in her face, playing with, talking to her, helping her to learn. All of this attention made having a new brother a really hard adjustment for Nikki. She still craves one on one attention which doesn't come that easy now. As I mentioned before she loves all things that give her the opportunity to show off her dramatic flare. She loves to make up her own songs, dances, cheers etc... I get such a kick listening to what she comes up with. I imagine that I was much the same as a little child. I await the day when she and her friends put on there own little backyard musicals. Mine was always Grease, she'll probably be doing more of a High School Musical, or Hairspray number.
Nikki adores her little sister-as long as she's not destroying her own plans. When Faith was first born we would be in the car and she would say. "I just can't get over how cute she is mom." She still proclaims similar sentiments, "she is so funny mom". She has a love hate relationship with her little brother, again much the same as I remember childhood. They can be the best of friends and play so well and they can be the meanest I've ever seen to eachother. I just keep hoping they'll grow out of it like my brothers and I did.
Nikki is all about the friends. She thinks I have tortured her if she has to go more than a few days without playing with a friend. She is a great friend to others and I really appreciate that about her. She is very devoted to her friendships.
Nikki loves her cousins also, again she is a relationship girl. People are very important to her and I love that she is able to show that to people around her. She loves being with her Grandparents and cousins. Nikki also enjoys riding her bike, rollerblading, riding her scooter, playing soccer. I was her soccer coach last fall and she loved defense. She still enjoys that position the most. I don't understand that much, I was always about the glory of the goal. :)!!!

Nikki really enjoys school, mostly for the social rewards she reaps from it, but she is a good student and her teachers love the sweet way she interacts with them and her classmates. She doesn't know how she is ever going to have a better teacher but always ends up loving the next one just as much as the last. She'll be going into 2nd grade next fall. She is getting so big.

Nikki is my little sweetheart and really just tells you how it is.She has called me to repentance many times. One time she declared that she really didn't like the way I was talking to her and the other day she mumbled under her breath that Christian always gets more hugs from mom. Ouch!!! I love her dearly and wouldn't want to imagine our home without her.

Christian Donald Nydegger

Christian was tagged by his cousin Will so here it goes.
Christian Donald Nydegger was born August 22, 2003.  His middle name is after his Great-Grandpa A. Donald Nydegger, his Grandpa Rick Don his Daddy Kurt Donald Nydegger.  It was intended to be Scott after my dad but last minute I felt like it was supposed to be Donald.  It seems fitting now as he has his daddy's looks, personality, energy...He has a great bond with his Daddy.  He was a total blondie so forever it looked like he was bald. He was born with beautiful long eyelashes. In fact, the nurse helping with his delivery said "look at those lashes" when only his head was out.  Great visual, Sorry!  Anyhow, he is a total babe and such a sweet boy too.  Despite growing up with a big sister he is all boy, though he knows how to play a good game of Barbies, Polly Pockets, etc...  He actually doesn't really play with toys.  He loves ALL things active.  Sword fighting, shooting nerf guns, soccer, baseball, anything involving a ball really.  He has grown up with a bump, scratch, scar, bruise of some sort on his face usually because of his neverending tricks and "Skills" as he likes to call them being demonstrated.  He's never had stitches or any broken bones, much to the suprise of his parents.  

Christian also loves to work.  He loves to help out and especially loves if he can surprise you with things like making his bed or getting himself ready for the day.  He loves to work with anyone working outside, especially his Grandma Nydegger. I think he claims to be the reason her yard always looks so great!  Christian loves his cousins and playing with them but outside of them has a very hard time in social situations.  He is terribly shy and afraid of new things like going to his church class or playing on his soccer team or going to preschool-I actually couldn't talk him into preschool so we opted to have Miss Angie take charge.  She's really great!!! :)  He's only allowed to call me Miss Angie when we are at "school".  He loves to learn and catches on pretty quickly to most things and its a good thing because he does not like making mistakes or not being the BEST at everything.  If anyone has advice on how to deal with that one I could use some help.  For a long time he just wouldn't try things if he didn't think he would be the best at it.   He has a terrible time being repremanded he takes it very personally like its an attack on his character.  So you really so have to be sensitive when disciplining him.

Anyhow, Christian is a great brother, most of the time, he is a massive tease which puts me over the edge at times.  Its just not fun unless one of the girls is crying.  :)  Thats how he deals with boredom is teasing.  So if I'm entertaining him or playing  with him all is well.  Leave him to his own devices and we usually end up with someone yelling!  Usually me!  I know thats hard to believe that I would yell, but occasionally it does happen.  He actually loves playing with his sisters and is very helpful with Faith.  He is very sensitive and loves me "infinity infinities",  thats ALOT, just in case you were wondering.  He is sure to tell people he loves them and loves to do things for his sisters.  He's a great snuggler and I can't imagine our home without him. I love him infinity infinities too!!!    

After rereading that I don't think you would maybe get how much I love this little guy.  Its been a rough two days and I think that was coming out in my post. Not that I'm not allowed to have bad days, I just don't want people to remember Christian as the mean little teaser! :)  He is a joy and tonight in his prayers he prayed that he and Nikki would stop fighting and that mom wouldn't yell at them.  I was so embarrassed.  :(  I guess he's noticed I've been on edge too!!!  Christian actually says the sweetest prayers; he's just very thoughtful and I love that about him.  And I also going to essentially tag Nikki myself so you can all learn about all of my cuties.    

My Little Faith Nydegger

Faith was tagged by her cousin Odie!!!  I was so excited to write about such a sweet girl and she's at such a fun age.  I decided that I can and will call Faith my little Faith as long as I can because I've just realized how fast she is growing up.  I don't know if it is a third child thing or just the little personality she has but this girl thinks she is as big as Nikki and Christian.  She follows them around and mimics everthing they say and do.  Cute to an extent right!!! She's going to be the child moms say when she's in school and hear some of the things she says "Oh she must have older brothers and sisters".  I've said that a time or two with some of Nikkis friends, not that its good or bad, they just learn different things sooner not being the oldest.  Anyhow, I digress... I think that is what really is so great about this stage is watching how much she picks up on everyday.   

Well, let me start from the beginning.  Faith came into our lives November 7, 2006.  She was sent to our family at a time that the Lord knew we needed her.  She has been a blessing to us  from the day she was born.  She has always been a very good natured girl and just brought a special spirit with her to this Earth.  We couldn't be happier about having her.

Now thats not to say she hasn't caused me many hours of missed beauty rest and that we don't have our battles cause we DO!!!  This girl has an opinion and feels entitled to share it with you whether you want to hear it or not.  She just recently started saying "NO, NO, NO...no tanks"   in response to a variety of questions.  Point taken Faith!!!  Hey at least she remembered her manners! :)  

Some of the other hilarious things that come out of her mouth:  the other day she had a diaper rash and while changing her diaper I said "Oh darnit"  She spent most of the remaining day pointing to her backside saying in a pathetic little voice "darnit"  Plain as day, we even get a dangit out of her every once in awhile.  Remember, 3rd child!  I love when she calls people by their names, I'm not sure what it is about that that I find so endearing some of her faves are Gikki (Nikki)  Bra (for brother Christian) Bampa, Gamma, Mauci (Aunt Marci), Unc Ty etc, etc...  Like I said their is just something sweet about her calling your name.  Today she started saying "I itch"  it sounded so funny coming out of her mouth!  Oh and thats another thing she likes to say "I punny (funny) mom" I love this girl!!!

Some of the things she likes to do:  well as I mentioned before she loves to follow big sis and big brother everywhere, so anything they are doing she wants to do.  She loves riding in Nikkis little hot wheels truck and Christian cruises around with her on his little tikes 4 wheeler and she can't get enough of it.  She loves to jump on the trampoline and because of it she can jump- two feet off the ground- too, not to brag or anything :)  She is very coordinated though, must be those Arnell genes!!!  I think I'm so funny...   

Some of her funny faces...I wish I had some pictures but I don't think I do but she does what Christian likes to call her Freak out Face.  It started when something she was eating was too hot, her whole face shakes slightly with her fists clenched out in front of her.  She now does it on call and had Grandpa Arnell laughing pretty good a few weeks ago.  The other she likes to do is her Grumpy face.  Like her freak out face we have her trained quite well so she can now pull these looks on demand, we get a good laugh out of it!   

Needless to say she is an absolute joy to have in our home. She has Daddy and both her Grandpas wrapped around her little fingers, as well as pretty much the rest of the people shes around often.  We love her to pieces and I feel more than blessed to be her mother!  

PS Sorry I can't seem to make my pics post down the page with the message.  They all seemed to show up at the top and I'm too tired to try and figure it out tonight.

  

Tagged by Becky...so here it goes!

(This is the only pic I could find of  myself-its a year ago, but you get the gist)

I am: a mother 1st and foremost
I think:being positive about life makes a big difference in life

I know: life is a journey

I want: another baby someday (those darn scrap books got me baby hungry-but not really!!)
I wish: I had more answers for life sometimes
I hate: when people choose to put others down to feel better about themselves
I miss: those once care free days-but looking back in my journal they never seemed all that care free-my 4th grade fat, hairy legs I had to worry about didn;t seem too care free at the time :)  

I fear: that I may not be doing enough to teach my children how to withstand lifes challenges

I feel: sad sometimes even if I try not to show it
I hear: the news
I smell: the fresh breeze 
I crave: desserts, I'm not too picky either, but I really like something sweet after I eat

I search: for homes, bunk beds, a little of this a little of that -thanks Google!

I wonder: how long we will live where we are

I love: my husband and wonderful babies

I ache: when I watch people I love so much struggle 
I care: about my families future

I always: commit and recommit to do the same things over and over-but the positive thing about that is I keep on trying right!  One day I'll get it.
I am not: very creative I can copy like a pro though

I dance: with my kids at least 5 times a week-and I have to really hold back when I'm at the gym listening to my ipod
I sing: with my heart and have always wanted to take voice lessons

I cry: when I really need it-and when I watch Extreme Makeover-Home Edition
I don't always: know what the next move is
I write: with poor penmanship, but don't notice that more now that I said that

I win:when I keep keepin on 
I lose: my mind when my kids fight 
I never: want people to doubt how grateful I am for all that they do for me and my family
I listen: to Christmas music at least once a week because Nikki has her own favorite cds
I can usually be found: at home, my moms, or my in-laws.

I am scared: whenI try to think too far ahead in the future.
I need: a nice massage
I am happy about: the great weather I love to be outside

and one more...I tag: Jessica C, Keri D, and Summer