Living in a van down by the river...

Don't worry, we haven't moved into a van (yet). We're still living in an apartment complex by a forested area. I got your attention though (Hee).

After my election night posts, I thought I'd lighten things up by doing another short update:

Duane is losing weight and looking great. In fact, he's lost so much weight he had to have his suit taken in and purchase new clothing because his old stuff was falling off of him. Lucky guy. As soon as I purchase a battery charger for our camera battery, I'll take some pictures and post them here. Until then, you'll just have to take my word for it.

After watching October Sky a few weeks ago, Duane thought it would be fun to purchase a rocket kit so he and the girls could build one and launch it. They haven't built it yet, but they will soon. Don't worry, it's just one of those little ones, nothing dangerous.

Our three girls keep me busy. Mayah and Malia are best friends and mortal enemies - They're 'frenemies' sisters. Needless to say, I play referee quite a bit, which is so fun. During the month of October, when I wasn't putting a stop to all the sisterly violence (seriously, they're worse then little boys), I was sewing Halloween costumes for the girls. I made Mayah a Princess Jasmine costume and Malia an Ariel costume (Ariel the Mermaid, not big sister Ariel) using this pattern. Matilda was a flower, but I didn't sew her costume.

I just finished reading, Letter To My Daughter by Maya Angelou. It's a quick read, just a collection of short essays and poems. It's quite good. If anyone wants to borrow it, let me know.

Ariel is keeping herself busy at BYU. She has a boyfriend, she really likes her roommates and, from what I can tell, she seems to be having a lot of fun in Provo. Apparently she's going to be tutoring kids at Provo High, which I just found out about (I hope she's getting paid for it).

Mayah is no longer obsessed with fire safety, although she still prays that we will 'be safe and not play with fires'. Her current worry is about stranger danger, which is fine with me - I want her to stay away from strangers. Mayah's favorite thing to do these days is make cards and give them to us. She also makes wrapping paper and wraps gifts (various toys of hers) and gives them to me. She really is a sweetheart (despite all the fighting she does with Malia). Oh, and Duane taught her who Barak Obama is so whenever he's on TV, she stops everything and watches. She likes watching Obama (sigh).

Malia really loves taking care of Matilda. It's quite cute actually, she is constantly handing me a bottle and telling me to feed the baby or change her diaper (even if she isn't hungry or stinky). Duane and I were really worried that Malia would have a difficult time with Matilda but she isn't (she never has).

Matilda started crawling soon after the last family update (you know, the 'musical' one). She's all over the place and is almost able to pull herself up to the standing position. She loves the vacuum especially when it's on, which makes it difficult for me to vacuum because she crawls after me (or rather, the vacuum) until she's able to climb on it. Matilda is a complete Daddy's girl. When Duane gets home from work, she crawls to him, giggling the whole time. When he's holding her, she's got an 'I just won the lottery' grin plastered on her face. It's really quite adorable.

Um...I suppose that is all the news we have for now. Please keep us (and Ford Motor Company, heck, the US economy) in your prayers because I really don't want to be living in a van down by the river (who would?).

Camera is fixed (and other news)

We finally got our camera back from the repair shop. I am glad because Matilda is growing like a weed and it would be a shame to miss out on anymore photo opportunities.

Matilda is now a little over 2 months old and at her last 'well baby' visit, she weighed 10 lbs, 11 oz. Matilda is quite healthy and happy. She started smiling at us a while ago but this is probably the first photo of her smiling. She enjoys attention. If it were up to her, we would hold her all the time. She is such a good baby and we all love her so very much.

Duane will be going to Europe again. He will spend some time in London and then finish his trip up in Spain. He has been quite busy with work and just recently had a surgery for his deviated septum. He is recovering quite well.

Ariel is finishing up her senior year of high school and preparing for BYU. We are all very excited for her.

Mayah is finishing up preschool and we have just been informed that she will be able to attend Kindergarten next year. She is reading a lot these days. She is very good at it. She is also quite good at spelling and her writing is quite good for someone her age. We are so proud of her.

Malia is still as silly as ever. She has started mocking me lately and as irritating as it is, she is quite cute. I find it difficult to keep a straight face when she is talking back to me. She spends a lot of time on the pink chair these days (the pink chair is our 'time out' chair). I don't think she minds being on the chair so long as she gets her chance to tell me what she thinks about being punished. I know I am in for it when she reaches her teen years.

I am still keeping myself busy by taking care of everyone but I read a lot during my spare time. I would appreciate some book suggestions as I will be doing some traveling this summer and I would like to have a long list of books to read. Anyway, leave your suggestions in the comments section! Thanks!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Greetings again this Christmas season. It’s been a great year for the Bitners and we hope it’s been a great one for you as well. Here’s our 2007 news, youngest to oldest.

On Mommy’s birthday our youngest gave us a great big surprise by making a pink line appear on a pregnancy test. (Actually 3 pregnancy tests so Mommy & Daddy were sure they weren’t hallucinating.). We’re excited for her arrival this Spring.

Little Malia turned 2 in July. She’s kept her head of curls and is our little fireball of energy & muscles. There’s no middle ground with her spunky personality, every experience of each day is either the worst trial anyone has ever gone through or the most fun activity anyone could possibly be having. She’s a blast.

Mayah has had quite a year with school at Perrinville in the mornings and during summer school. She also was accepted for Head Start this fall and has had a great time participating in things with all the other kids and learning to be a big person. She’s doing great, she has come so far in her ability to speak and interact with friends and family. She’s got a lot of spunk as well.

We have lots of fun with the girls. We did our garden again this year and the girls enjoy it as true tomboys should. Mayah especially enjoyed collecting worms and holding snakes this year. She and Malia learned how to make a mudhole and swim in it up to their necks. We spent a lot of time with cousins this year in Oregon, Ohio, Illinois, Utah and Indiana. All the cousins are so good with our girls. We are so grateful to have such great nieces & nephews.

Ariel went to an A Cappella competition at Disneyland with her choir and won 1^st place gold. She spent two months with us this summer. She also went to Youth Conference and Pioneer Trek and made some new friends. She also moved to Spokane in August. Senior year at a new school wasn’t the plan but as always she’s made friends and is having fun. In November she was admitted to BYU. She hasn’t decided on a major yet but Dad hopes she does something with her great writing skills. We’re so proud of her.

Besides the surprise birthday present, Penny’s year has been full of daily surprises from our girls. Mayah & Malia keep her hopping. Penny has been a consultant for clothing retailer Modbe and has spent a lot of time at the gym, we all make the goal each year but she’s kept it up pretty well. Penny put this blog together earlier this year, made dresses for the girls for Christmas and shares her talent & love with us in a hundred other ways each day. She is so good to us all.

Duane’s career is progressing with some new opportunities at Ford Motor Company. He is now a global commodity manager buying throttles and EGR systems for all engines manufactured by Ford in North America. He visited Hitachi in Japan and made two separate trips to Europe to visit several other suppliers. The highlight of his year was returning to Madeira where he served his mission 20 (yes, 20) years ago. He was able to visit there in May and again in November. He spent both visits with the Faria family and had a blast.

We are so grateful for our many blessings, our family and friends. Best wishes to you this Christmas season. Please view our 2007 slideshow below.

Love, the Bitners

Seasons change

It is finally cooling down here in Michigan. As of yesterday (Wednesday, October 10), we are finally getting the weather one would expect for this time of year. There were days last week that we were getting 89 degree weather. YIKES!!!

Since the weather has finally changed, I have been putting the girls summer clothing away. I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed when I realized that most of the stuff won't fit them ever again. I wish my kids would age a little slower so I can enjoy this precious time a little longer. I swear it doesn't seem that long ago that they were both babies. They have changed so much in such a short time.

Thinking about my girls and how quickly they have grown got me thinking about how quickly time passes. I also started thinking about how life unexpectedly changes. Looking back at the past 7 years made me realize that most of what has happened in my married life was not exactly planned by Duane or myself.

Seven years ago Duane and I were newly wed, super happy, inseparable and disgustingly in-love with each other. Both of us were happily employed and living in Colorado at the time. Duane and I had all sorts of plans for our future.

Five years ago, Duane and I had just moved from New Mexico (after living there one year) to Utah so Duane could attend BYU to get his MBA, I was 4 months pregnant with Mayah, I was only working 20 hours a week, Duane wasn't allowed to work (per BYU's request) and we were really struggling financially. Duane and I decided that graduate school was the best option as no one was hiring just one year after 9/11. We had no idea what we would do after Duane graduated.

Exactly three years ago, we had just moved to Michigan 3 months previously, Duane was working for Ford and was called to be the Elders Quorum President in our ward and I was 2 weeks pregnant with Malia and didn't even suspect as we weren't trying to have another baby at that time. Mayah was finally old enough to attend nursery at church but she kept me on my toes the rest of the week.

Just last year, Duane and I were seriously discussing the prospect of not adding to our family ever again. There were several reasons as to why we were discussing that possibility, all of which were valid reasons, most of which I will not go into now. At the time, I was feeling very overwhelmed with the girls. Mayah had recently been diagnosed with high-functioning, mild autism and Malia was a force to be reckoned with--a very stubborn and determined little toddler. Both children demanded a lot of time and attention from both Duane and myself, so we felt like it might be best to keep our family from expanding.

Now Duane is still employed at Ford, I am 15 weeks pregnant with our third child, Mayah is attending a wonderful preschool that has a program for autistic children and Malia is our fun little two year old. We are also very happy with the life we have.

Duane and I had no idea what life had in store when we first got married seven short years ago but our Heavenly Father sure did. It wasn't by chance that we ended up in Michigan. I know that Heavenly Father has guided us down this specific path for a reason. He knew what our family would need to pass through in order to be happy.

I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my family. I know that he loves us. I know that he only wants the best for us. I know he will do what he can so we might return to him some day. These thoughts are what keep me from giving up when life throws another surprise our way. These thoughts also keep me from running outside to shake my fist at the sky--and yell--when life takes yet another unexpected turn. ;)