Computers, IPods, Telephones...

These are Emily's favorite things these days...I am so scared for what's to come!

I'm training her well...

Emily's new fun thing is to "help" out around the house. She loves to help me put the clothes in the dryer. It is really funny how proud she is of herself when she completes a task. Of course our insane clapping routine makes it much more exciting for her! It definitely makes me think that more children could be an asset...haha!

Curly Top!

Speaking of hair (see blog below), she may look like her daddy, but Judy is sooo right, that is her mommy's hair. Yessss!!!!! She is my child! I was begining to think that whole pregnancy and labor & delivery thing was a figment of my imagination, or that I was actually on the island with Sun, Kate, and Juliette and something weird was going on that noone could figure out with my baby...sorry non-LOST watchers, you're missing out! All is well at the Kramer's! Emily is an independant little comedy routine that wanders around our house.

New Video and Pics are up and running...peace out!!

And.........Off it Goes!!!!

This past Tuesday night I washed my bajillion inches of hair and stuck the "Chewbacca-like" remnants that I combed through on the shower wall for the last time (at least until I grow it out again)!! As much as I had been loving my neck always being at least 15 degrees hotter than the rest of my body, the headaches from ponytails, and the 3o minute showers due to daily cleansing, conditioning, comb-throughs...oh yeah and the 4 bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and "activator" (as Derek calls it) that I purchased monthly, the time had come for the hair to come off, and off it came...all 14 inches of it!! For those of you that have known me for awhile, this has been my pattern for the last few years, grow it, donate, grow it, donate. So this past Wednesday, I did it again. Hooray for Locks of Love!

In times past, I always would get at least a little nervous before the big cut, but not this time. It wasn't nearly as scary as I remember. Obviously, my hair is straightened in these pics, but I will wear it curly most of the time. You can check out our photo album to see pics of the actual cutting off process. Melissa is the girl cutting my hair...she is AMAZING!! I always go to her for the big cuts (I would go more often if I could afford her) but she is worth every stinkin' penny. How many stylists do you know that spend almost a full 2 hours making sure they have done a great job and that you are happy? The 2 of us have a big joke that if you aren't careful, she'll follow to your car with her scissors b/c she is such a perfectionist!!! So, big-time shout out to Melissa!!! I love you...you are awesome!

I am loving having my hair short! Emily did react a little when I arrived home. She smiled, which was reassuring, but she could tell a difference. The morning after "the cut" I took a shower and just smiled as it took me all of 1 minute to fully wash and condition my hair! Most of all, I love having something new, a change. And after all, it's just hair and I'm sure I will began the grow-it out stage at the end of Summer again. But for now, I am happy with the newness of this cut!

I am sending my hair to Locks of Love this week and would encourage anyone reading that ever decides on a major chop to always donate your hair if you have 10 inches to spare. They are non-profit, working totally off of donations, and their hairpiece recipients never pay a dime!! How incredible! I can't imagine being in middle school and not having hair, like those years weren't tough enough!! So, if you ever get time, check out their website at www.locksoflove.org . I am going to try to send my pics in, maybe they will make it to their website. For now...I am going to wash my hair and enjoy the ease!!

Lovin' these warm days

It has finally been warm enough to play outside a little bit. We got to enjoy it for a few minutes the other day. Unfortunately, Emily's nose was dripping like a faucet and she wasn't napping well nor was she in much of a mood for us to snap pictures.

Em had her 15 month check-up last week and she is doing well. We are so grateful for her good health and growth. She is a whopping 22lbs. and 31 inches tall. She got shots, which totally stunk, but I think her Daddy has recovered. Hah! The shots are always harder on us. Like clockwork, the doc said she might have symptoms from one of the shots and exactly one week later...surprise!!!...fever and runny nose. Who knows, it could be teething or a cold. I just know she's not her normal self. Otherwise, healthy as a horse!

She is still a bit clingy when I leave her, but it is so much better. For the first time, since she has became more aware of my disappearing acts, she didn't so much as sigh when I dropped her off at her MOPS class or at church this past week. I was so proud of her!

That is pretty much it on the Emily front these days. She runs around like I have laced her yogurt with crack and she makes us laugh hysterically. One thing that she isn't lacking is personality! Hope all is well with everyone...thanks for checking in on us!

~Oh yeah...we got some cute video finally up on the blog! And, I added some new pics. Just click on the link to the left! Make sure your sound is turned up b/c she is trying to talk and it is too funny!~

Easter was "Egg"cellent!

As told by the cheesy title of this post, we did have a terrific Easter! I can't pass up the opportunity for a pun when I get the chance. Our Sunday morning worship was amazing and then we were blessed to hear an awesome teaching on forgiveness out of the book of John. As we were getting ready Sunday morning, Derek reminded me that we should really focus that morning on what that day celebrated. While that seems obvious, I admit that it is so easy to get caught up in what you are going to wear on that first-dressy-colorful-as-an-Easter-egg-dress(or skirt)-that-you-would-normally-never-wear-and-probably-won't-again-until-next-Easter-outfit. But, I really heeded the advice of my wise husband and began to focus of what we really were celebrating. I am so thankful for the forgiveness that Christ has extended to me. I have done nothing to deserve it and never could earn it on my own. So, the question on my heart and mind the last few days is "do I forgive freely?" I would encourage anyone reading to ask themselves the same thing. And then if you want to hear an AWESOME sermon, you can click on my link to Fellowship Bible Church. You can listen to it online and I promise it is so worth it!

The rest of the day was filled with fun. We went to my mom's house where she had prepared her usual amazing dinner followed by an egg hunt for Emily. I am pretty sure that Em had no clue of what she was doing, but it is a sweet memory, nonetheless! We also got to hang out with my uncle and his wife and two twin little cousins who are getting so big. AND......................I believe some of the sweetest news that we received on Sunday is that a new little girl was welcomed into the world on Sunday....no, I did not secretly have baby #2!!! Caroline Kesi Baker was born on Easter. WOOT! WOOT! for Benji and Rebekah...we miss our sweet friends and are thrilled for them! We praise God for His miracle of life! You can check out pics of their new baby girl by clicking on Rebekah's link. She is a cutie pie!

I have also updated our photo gallery and will update again soon with some video of the little munchkin. She is doing some hilarious things these days. Be sure to check back frequently! We love everyone.........

Easter Sunday

Emily with her daddy...I love this picture!

Comparisons of a Sleeping Emily Paige!

One Week Old

Almost 15 Months Old

Sometimes when I look at her I think that she has changed so much and then I look at these photos side by side and am finally convinced that she hasn't been switched out this past year. Haha!! I think there is no question that she looks exactly like her daddy! The other day I was outside and our neighbor from all the way across the street yells over, "She looks JUST like her daddy!" Wow, tell me something that I haven't heard! Maybe one day we will have a baby that looks a tiny bit like her mommy...you know since my body was responsible for the incubation process for 9 1/2 months...one can only dream!!

This Time Last Year...

For whatever reason today, I was getting really nostalgic and somewhat sappy thinking about how much little Emily Paige has grown and changed. This time last year, she was almost 3 months old and she was just beginning to show us glimpses of her personlity. I can't believe that it has been close to 15 months ago that she entered this world. Wow!! It is crazy how fast a year goes by. Now she is just about running, throwing mini 'tantrums' on occassion, eating everything that doesn't bite her back, and talking up a storm (wonder where that came from...poor Derek!). Even more than that, she brings such joy to our lives. It is amazing to think that our Father loves us even more than I love her! How is that even possible? What fun it is to watch her change every day. We are so thankful for this little stinker and the deeper understanding of unconditional love that she teaches us daily! I'm going to grab some Kleenex now...

Happy 4th Anniversary to Us!

This past week Derek and I celebrated our 4th Anniversary...Hooray for us! We had a low-key night and had a "date" after Emily went to bed. These are fun cheap nights where we can hang together and don't have to spend tons of moolah! For those of you that are thinking "wow, how boring?" if it reassures you, we have a weekend planned at the end of this month to really celebrate the past 4 years.

It is pretty amazing to think that Derek and I have known each other for almost 12 years and have been a "couple" for 10 years! Wow! It has gone by so fast and in just the past year, we have had so many changes. We welcomed our little girl into the world, we both had major job changes, and we have seen friends and family, and even ourselves, face some really difficult challenges. But one thing that has remained absolutely pure and steadfast and true is God's presence in our lives. He has been beyond good to us! We are thankful for this past year because the Lord has used it to strengthen us in ways that we didn't know He could. Marriage really is a beautiful gift that the Father has given us...we are thankful that He has allowed us the opportunity to know and love Him deeper through our iniquities, which can seem so abundant at times. I often think that I don't know how people that don't know God ever really learn how to love one another in their marriage. He really is the glue that keeps it all together!

All that to say, I have been blessed with a husband that loves me incredibly and serves me in so many ways. He has taught me so much about faithfulness and commitment. I never thought that I would marry someone like Derek and I thank God that he entrusted me with him. So, to my sweet husband and best friend, thank you for loving me with the love of Christ and for being the father that you are(amazing!!!!). I love you so much and look forward to many more anniversaries to come...now, can I get a "WOOT WOOT" for the Lord and marriage?...Praise God, despite what "the world" says it can be done!!!!

One of her favorite things to do is "reading." Too bad we can't ever understand a word she says!

Friends Are So Helpful!

Those of you that know me well know I am not a technological person, to say the least! I do read directions and try very hard to follow them, but my attempts, when it concerns anything to do with the computer, usually result in frustration and failure.

A couple of weeks ago, I attempted to work on our blog and, as usual, was not able to accomplish what I wanted to do...POST PICTURES!!! These last pics that I posted form Emily's party took forever...I don't have that kind of time. A highly computer saavy friend of ours, sorry Jude not you, left a comment with recommendations and today I finally took them and guess what...It worked!!!! I am thrilled...so, all this to say that I have added a photo gallery to our blog. You can access it under the title "Places to Go" on the left hand side of this page. The Link title is "The Kramer's Photo Gallery."

I think that this will be an easy way for us to share lots of pics for you guys to check out. And I think that b/c it is easier and less time consuming, I will be more likely to update the pics more frequently. I need to give a big shout-out to Austin for this idea and for giving directions that I could actually understand. You have made my blogging so much easier...you're awesome. Thank you!

Enjoy the new pics!

Daddy, Mommy, & Grandparents Celebrating the Day

Okay so I have had a really difficult time getting our pics to post, even though I thought I figured it out the other day...note to self, take a break from blogging and come back to it 3 days later! So, these pics are a bit out of order, but at least they are able to be seen, unlike the last ones that showed up with a big "X" in a box refusing to be viewed.

Below are just some random pics from Em's birthday. They include lots of family. I would love to post more pics, but I have had so much trouble that I think I am going to start fresh with a new blog entry, maybe tomorrow, focusing on something other than Em's birthday. It was a month ago afterall that these pics were taken..."thanks Mr. Blogger Elf in my computer that doesn't want pictures posted, you're awesome!" I digress! Tomorrow is a new day with new blogging opportunities. Yay for me! So, until then...

Birthday Moments with Cousins

Emily's 1st Birthday...Korean Style!

I am so excited that the new version of Blogger will finally let us share the joy of Em's big day with all of you guys!!! (No sarcasm there!) I am just so thrilled that it is finally letting us post pics again. Judy was right, as usual, Blogger fixed itself and now the world is well!!

What a fun time it was to celebrate with all of the family in VA! It is difficult being so far away and we loved being able to share Em's big day with all of her family. There was great food and Karaoke (see pics that follow...YIKES!) and sweet time with family. We tried to follow some of the traditional Korean 1st birthday customs. She wore a traditional Hanbok that her Uncle Sean bought her last year in Korea and we ate lots of yummy Korean food. We akso ate "Duk" which is basically a soft type of rice cake. She sat at a table that is a close copy of what would be used in Korea. It was covered with fruit and the Duk.

Em's Uncle Brandon lead us in prayer and spoke about the importance of raising our children to know the Lord. It was beautiful! We are so thankful to know that we can go to the Father on behalf of each other's children and stand together to bring them up in the full knowledge of the Lord!

The main attraction, so to speak, was a traditional ceremony in which the baby sits on a bamboo mat and crawls to different items all signifying something of the child's future while everyone waits with anticipation to see what she will choose first. Emily's choices were string, money, a book, pencil, computer mouse, microphone, and rice. Emily took her time choosing but eventually picked up the computer mouse, which signifies education . When Derek had his party, he selected the pencil which also signified education. If she is anything like her Daddy, I will be thrilled!! We all already know she looks just like him!


It was a great night that Emily's "Halmee" put a lot of preparation and time into. We will always cherish both of Emily's birthday parties. We cherish even more the joy, love, and laughter that she has brought to all of our lives. She is a precious child that we love dearly!

Now, what are we going to do next year...haha! I kid, I kid!!

Karaoke at its WORST!

I think that the owners of the restaurant were happy to see or "hear" us go. It was a hysterical and somewhat scary performance. Great times and major migraines had by all!




Emily's cousins and Uncle Dana were rockin' out! Sometimes it is really hard to tell who the kids are when Uncle Dana is around...just kidding Dana! (They all love him dearly.)


My beautiful niece sang her heart out. If it wasn't for her nerve to get up and sing, I don't think the rest of us would have.

Can ANYONE Help Me??

Okay...so I am pretty much about to give up blogging! I still cannot post pics. So until I find someone to educate me, I will go back to the Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble days of emailing pics. I feel like the biggest techno loser in the known world!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Our munchkin is one!! Hooray for Emily!

I am just figuring out how to post pics again since I updated our blog...Ugggghhhh!! So, I will post a couple of pics that most of you probably already have. Hopefully everyone that checks this site probably got an email with pics of Em's b'day, therefore I am not going to be repetitious and make you all look at the same pictures...although I do find them hilarious and most worthy of posting.

This past year has been a fabulous ride watching our sweet girl grow...way too fast! I'll leave you with a "before cake" and "after cake" pic! (I just hope it actually works)

The faces of Emily and the mischief that follows...