Tucked Away in the Mountains

Catching up

2010-06-15T09:26:00.001-07:00

The past month has been a bit frazzled.

Relay Idol was a great success. We had 13 singers and raised $400. I was so very happy with the turn out for such a great cause.
The school year ended and we are now in the beginnings of summer vacation.
I managed to get in 85 miles of my 100 mile challenge. I was pretty happy with that considering all the rain we had in May.

Now that we are into summer vacation I'm trying to find things for us to do that will keep us active and learning something. I am determined to not have a summer of laying around the house watching tv and playing video games. Yesterday we took a 9 mile bike ride from Mullan to Wallace. It's really a pretty easy down hill ride but was great nonetheless. Today we are going to hike the Polaski Trail with friends. Kim has Vacation Bible School at Grandma's church this week. Summer Reading program at the library on Wednesdays and then at the end of the month our Wednesdays will be filled with Kid's Club at our church. We'll have to see what else we can find to keep us busy.

2nd Annual Relay Idol

2010-05-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday I'm holding the 2nd Annual Relay Idol competition. Raising money and awareness for Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. I'm really excited to see how this year turns out. Last year we had 6 singers and raised $460.

I changed venues for this years event. Hoping to maybe have a bigger presents. The new location has karaoke every weekend with consistant singers. So I'm hoping to have a few more participants then last year. Either way it will be a great time for a great cause. Singing for a cure.

I'm limiting it to 15 singers, but there are still spots available. So if you would like to join the competition and sing give me a call. And if not then still plan on coming and supporting your favorite singer. And a great Cause.

100 Mile Challenge

2010-05-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

I've set myself a challenge. The plan is to walk or bike 100 miles between now and then end of May. It will average out to be abour 3.5 miles a day. I got in 2 miles yesterday with our walk in the parade. So 2 down 98 to go. I've been looking at my treadmill for far to long and not using it. And with the weather getting nicer it's has been nice to get out on the bike trail with Kim. So this is the plan. Anyone want to join me in challenging themselves?

Rainy Day Parade

2010-05-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today was our Loyalty Days parade. Normally it's a beautiful sunny day for the event but alass it was pouring down rain instead. Kim's T-ball team was supposed to walk in the parade to we walked to the parade starting point (it ends very close to our house) with our rain gear on and our umbrella. We have this wonderfully paved bike trail that runs behind our house and takes us to the school where the parade starts. It's a mile from our house but makes for a great walk or bike ride.

We got to the parade start and began looking for the rest of Kim's team only to find that they had not come. It's no wonder it was raining so hard but we pushed through and walked with another team.By the time we got to the end we were both soaked, even with our rain gear. The VFW is who puts on the parade and they always give the kids who participate ice cream at the end. Kim and I both agreed that it was a day more for hot cocoa then for ice cream. So we headed over to the convenience store and got ourselves a couple of cups and a nice little treat to take home.

Even with all the rain and cold it was still a great day. I am so proud of my little girl for not bailing on the parade and how well she did representing her team all by herself.

One Thousand White Women

2010-04-24T19:05:00.001-07:00

I recently read a really good book that left me wanting the rest of the story. I love getting a good book that I just can't put down. But hate when I get to the end of it because it leaves me wanting more. There has to be more to the story. Even off shute stories of the rest of the characters. I want to know more.

The book I read is One Thousand White Women: the Journal of May Dodd.

It's a fictional story based on a true moment in history. It left me wondering though how much of the story could have possibly really happened. And I would also love to see this one made into a movie.

So what have you been reading lately. I'm always of the search on the next good book.

Away to long

2010-04-24T18:02:00.000-07:00

I have been away from here to long. I must get myself back in the groove. I've been home and not working since the end of January. I have been really enjoying the extra time I have to spend with Kim. But I have still been busy. I've been spending a lot of time volunteering at Kim's school. Reading mostly and really enjoying it. I get so excited when one of the kids in her kindergarten class begins to grasp to reading bug. They have an accelerated reading program at school where after the child reads a book with little to no help then they take a test on it and get points. As they read and test on more and more books then their reading level increases and they are rewarded with a prize based on the number of points they have earned. I love the idea of making ready fun and giving the kids an incentive to want to read more.

I recently started watching a couple of kids at home during the week as well. I'm so looking forward to having the free time this summer to be able to do the things with Kim that I've been wanting to do. Last summer she missed swim lessons, t-ball and soccer because of my work schedule.

I also started a new part time job at my church this month, secretary for my Pastor. It's only 1 day a week but that is plenty for now. I get to help her get the extra things done that need to be done at the church and also have some time to work on stuff I need for the worship team. I'm really liking it.

We started playing t-ball in the last couple of weeks. Practices have been fun and we are looking forward to games starting the first of May. There are only about 25 school days left of this year. Kim has the count down going.

Moving Continued

2009-11-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

So this has been a hard working weekend. We started out on Thursday night after work and moved the wood pile. Thankfully we were able to get that all in 2 loads. Yesterday we tackled the garage. We cleaned out the storage area and all of Larry's machines. Many loads later and thanks to the help of my brother-in-law and my nephew we got so much accomplished. Today we started on the stuff inside the house.

The plan is to collect many more boxes this week and continue packing the house up so that Friday morning we can hit it hard and get it done. I so want to be done moving everything by Saturday so that Sunday afternoon can be spent cleaning the old house so we can be done with it.

I can't wait to start putting things away in the new house. The kitchen is going to be so wonderful. There is so much storage space, a dishwasher and a garbage disposal. And I will have closet space to hide the vacuum. Isn't it funny the little things that can make a girl happy. :)

Moving

2009-11-21T18:06:00.001-08:00

I think I can honestly say that I've have move more then my fair share of times in the past 17 years. Larry's job has taken us to many new place and then back to them a few times as well. And now here we go again. The house we live in is VERY small and cramped, even for just the 3 of us. The windows are in terrible shape and the roof needs to be replaced. We are renting and while the property management would love to take care of all that the home owners refuse to put any money into the house. So we are moving to a bigger house. It's just across town so not to far. But then in all the moves we've made I kind of think those far away moves are easier. Get a big truck and load everything in it and make one trip. Instead of taking one load at a time and making many many trips across town.

I have been feeling so out of touch on here and haven't blogged anything in forever. Hopefully we can get moved and settled and through the holidays and life will slow down again.

Where have I been?

2009-09-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

WOW it's been a while since I stopped by here. Summer has flown by and now we are into September. We had quite a busy summer, August was especially crazy.

We made it through Relay for Life. Woke up that morning to a pouring rain storm. I stood in the shower thanking God for the rain and asking for it to stop. Thankfully it did and we were able to stay dry during the night. We raised a bit over $15,000 for the American Cancer Society this year. And had a great time doing it.

Kimmie also had a birthday and turned 5. We had her party at home this year instead of going to the park as we have in years past. Her friends came over and she had a great day. She wanted a Hula Girl party. So all the girls got leis and grass skirts and the boys received beach comber hats. We had a water balloon fight and the pinata was a hit as well.

We've gotten through the first full week of Kindergarten. Hoping to get a routine and slow down a little very soon.

What moves your soul?

2009-06-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this question all week. For me it's music. For me music can completely transform an attitude, a situation, a place. Music can take me back to a place and time within just the first few measures of a song. Roxette's Joyride always takes me back to Republic, Wa in the beginnings of Larry and I's relationship. That song starts playing and I'm right back in that town. Shania Twain's Come On album puts me in Elko.

I have known people who aren't really "music people". The prefer silence or talk radio to hearing songs play. And while I understand completely that everyone has different like and dislikes, it's a bit strange to me.

Music has always been a big part of my world. As a kid my mom had hundreds of albums, back in the days of vinyl. She had them all organized alphbetically by artist and then each artist by release date (oddly enough I do the same thing). But she would start at the beginning of the alphabet and play them all the way through till she got to the last album and then would start over. We got to hear weeks of Elvis. Well I'm sure it probably wasn't weeks but she had a lot of them. One of my favorites as a kid was a Moody Blues album she had. I honestly couldn't tell you what was on that album I just like it because the vynil was blue. It was really pretty cool. I would sing at the top of my lungs to singers like Reba, Sylvia, Tammy Wynett. There was a lot of country in our house.

Over the years my likes have changed a bit. But I can always go back to something I liked years ago and listened to a lot of and still enjoy it. Even if it's not my favorite pick for that day. I still sing at the top of my lungs. I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts. Working in the garden with my Ipod on and singing so loud the world have hear me. If you look at my cd and Itunes collections today you'll find everything from Classical to ACDC to Jesus Culture. There are some things that I just can't listen to. I find that some things, especially at a certain volume, instantly make me angry so I don't listen to that stuff ever. I prefer to feel other emotions when I listen to music. I love a good song that just makes you want to get up and move. My Kimmie is a dancer too (of course now if she thinks you are looking she won't move a muscle but deep down I know she wants to shake her booty). There are even days when I can sit on the floor and play a song over and over and just get out a good cry. Someday I just need to do that.

Lately you will find me listening to more praise and worship songs then anything else. I can be having the worst day and put on my Ipod and start singing for God and it totally changes my mindset and my attitude. I've even written a couple of songs in the past few months and had the priviledge of sharing one of them at church this past Sunday. That was quite a leap for me I think. Sharing them with Pastor Carey but my confidence level isn't such that I would have just shared them with everyone else had she not said "I think we need to sing this one". I hope everyone enjoyed it but at the same time it really doesn't matter because the song wasn't about me or what everyone else thought of it. It was about Him and that what's really the most important.

Where have I been?

2009-06-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been forever since I got over here. It's been a busy couple of weeks since school ended. Working the out in the yard and in the garden, birthday parties and fundraising. Work, work work. Can I relax now?

Last weekend was especially overwhelmingly busy. Saturday afternoon we had my neice's birthday party, then that night Relay Idol and Sunday afternoon my Grandma's 85th birthday party.

Relay Idol was a great success. This being our first year and we had to compete with two weddings that day but we still had a great turn out. We had 6 singers who all did awesome and we raised $440 for Relay and the American Cancer Society. We are looking forward to doing it again next year.

Sunday I threw my Grandma an 85th birthday party. I think that 85 is a big deal plus it had been far to long since the last time our family got together. Almost all of us were there and she really had a great time. We made her a t-shirt with all of her Great Grandkids' (who were there) hand prints. Leaving room for the ones that weren't able to come so she can add them when she see them.

We should be able to slow down a little bit now. Well I hope anyway. I know that I do tend to take on more then I need to. But that's something that I need to work on too.

Catching Up

2009-06-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Worship Seminar in Missoula. It was a long day but so worth it. I learned a lot and had a really great time. Came home with some new books that now I really need to find some time and read them. If you ever have an opportunity to go to one of these I highly recommend it.

Monday was Kimmie's first official day of Summer Vacation. She's loving it. Sleeping in and spending the day at the sitter's playing with the other kids. Thursday she had to take donuts with her to share with everyone. Right now she gets to spend Tuesdays at home with me and Fridays at home with Daddy. That is as long as we have our days off during the week. Friday they surprised me by showing up to my work just as I was getting ready to leave for lunch. They took me to lunch with them. It was such a nice surprise to be able to spend some time with them like that.

Wednesday I had a flat tire on my way to work. A nice guy stopped (not sure where he came from though as he wasn't behind me and didn't pass me) but anyway he stopped and changed my tire for me. I was very thankful to him for that help. The tire was completely shot so I had to buy a new one. New tires are on my list for this summer so I guess now I have 1 down and only 3 more to go.

This weekend is going to be spent relaxing a bit. I need to do some house cleaning and weeding in the garden. I'm going to enjoy it though because next weekend will be crazy busy.

Kindergarten

2009-05-27T16:27:00.001-07:00

I registered my Kimmie for Kindergarten last week. They have 2 classes and after talking to quite a few parents and teachers who have had interactions with both teachers I decided it best to try and request one of the teachers and not the other one. Reports of things that have gone on in the one class room with how the teacher talks to the kids and handles behaviors in her class are really not where I want Kimmie to be. It seems there is a lot of yelling and screaming from the teacher to the kids. Well I found out yesterday that even after my request she was placed in that class. Now I'm having really mixed feelings about the whole thing. Do I call the school and be one of those demanding moms and throw a fit (if needed) and have her moved to the other class? Or do I sit back and see what happens? Do I wait and see how Kimmie responds to this teacher? Do I just wait and see if maybe there is an opportunity to share with this teacher how we hold the preciousness of others to heart and how we speak to each other? And how we don't allow Kimmie to speak to others? And how by her speaking to her class in that manner she's diminishing how valuable God sees each and every one of those children? I can't imagine it would go over very well to have Kimmie stand up in class and inform her teacher that saying something like "Shut Up" are stinky words and we don't speak to people that way. And maybe having a harsher teacher will be good for Kimmie. She does seem to do better when there are stronger boundaries (give this kid an inch and she'll run over you to get the whole mile).

This is definitely going to be something to pray about a lot. What do you think? What would you do?

Memorial Day Weekend and Kindergarten

2009-05-25T21:59:00.001-07:00

Tuesday we registered Kimmie for Kindergarten. She's so excited about going to the new school. All she's been talking about is going to her "high school" and riding the bus. I really hope the actually school year meets her excitement and expectations and more.

We had a wonderful weekend here. 3 wonderful days of warmth and sunshine. It was a great kick off to summer for us. We had some nice relaxation and still got a lot accomplished.

I worked my rear end off and got the garden completely planted. Now I just have weeding and watering and eventually harvesting to do. We planted lettuce, spinach, turnips, carrots, peas, beans, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins, cabbage, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash and corn. I think that's everything. I did end up with a bit of sunburn on my lower back from being bent over but it'll be OK.

Kimmie and I were able to get in a couple of good bike rides too. She's doing so good and is such a trooper. Saturday we road 6 miles to my sister's house and back. Then today we did 8 miles. We road to Grandma's, went to lunch and then back home again. On our bike ride today we got to see a couple of quail and a snake on the trail. The snake kind of startled me a little bit but we stopped to check him out. Kimmie wanted to stomp on him because as she put it "he was like Satan". I think she has taken the story of Adam and Eve very much to heart. But of course I wouldn't let her and we nudge him on his way across the trail and back in to the protection of the bushes.

It's a short week for us here. We only have 3 more days of school/work. Then Friday we have her bike-a-thon and school picnic. Then summer will officially be here.

Relay Idol

2009-05-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

I know that some are saddened that American Idol is over. I can't say that I'm really one of them. I only really watched it this year during the auditions. I really didn't follow the rest of the competition. However, for those who live in the Silver Valley we have the excitement of extending our Idol "fixes". I guess we'll put it that way.

I'm planning a fundraising event for my Relay team, Relay Idol. I'm really excited about it. It's always so wonderfully amazing to see how our community comes together to support a good cause. I have a wonderful friend who has a karaoke/Dj business. He does the best job and really is quite spendy for his services. But he has been so generous and offered to donate his services for the evening.

We will have 15 singers, who will each sing their choice of song. After all the contestants have finished singing then the voting will begin. Each singer will have a sack to collect their votes (1 vote for each dollar collected). The singer with the most votes (money) will win the competition.

This evening should be tons of fun. I'm really excited about it and can't wait to see how it goes. So if you think you are going to go through withdrawls due to missing American Idol come see the show. And help us support Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

Needing to Decompress

2009-05-20T20:55:00.001-07:00

I've been looking at my schedule for the next couple of weeks and feeling so overwhelmingly busy. Thankfully school will be out next week so that will make our morning rush a little less rushed. But there is still so much to be done.

Relay for Life meetings
a Bike-a-thon with Kimmie's school
a Fundraising event for Relay that I'm putting together
a birthday party for my Grandmother
finish planting the garden (must get that done this weekend)
on top of many other standing weekly appointments and meetings

Today when I met with my Pastor to put together our Sunday Worship Song Set I was really feeling the need to slow down, decompress and just try to put myself in a better position to really be able to focus on what's most important. HIM.

Happy Birthday Daddy

2009-05-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Friday was my dear husband's 40th birthday. So of course our little girl had to make Daddy a birthday cake. She was so very proud of herself and couldn't wait to show him her tasty surprise.

Gathering everything in a mixing bowl

Stir, Stir, Stir

A Perfectionist at work

And of course you have to lick the batter.

Topped with sprinkles and a #4 candle.

And then you have to sing Happy Birthday to Daddy.

Now it's official. Daddy is part of the "4 Club". Along with Kimmie (4), Momma (34), Grandma (54) and Grandma Whipps (84). Soon we'll be starting the "5 Club" but Daddy won't be able to join that one.

Happy Birthday Honey hope you had a wonderful day.

Bronchitis Again

2009-05-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

Kimmie has been coughing up a storm for the 2nd time is less then 6 weeks. So this afternoon I took her back to the doctor just to find out that she again has bronchitis. This is so frustrating. My poor little girl has this awful hacking cough. Her voice is about gone. And now we are back again on a round of antibiotic. Our doc seems to think that this is just where the cold that is going around at any given time is settling in with her. Some people it's in there head, my sweet girl gets bronchitis.

Yesterday on our walk she got a flat tire on her bike. She was so upset about it because she's worried that it won't be fixed and she won't be able to ride in her bike-a-thon. Larry promised that he would fix it tonight when he got home. Unfortunately he got the tire apart and found that she needs a whole new tire. From her riding and skidding on the breaks she has worn a hole in the tire itself. So tomorrow I will be on the hunt for a new white tire with pink walls. Hopefully I'll be able to find it so she doesn't have to have 1 white and 1 black tire on her bike.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day. We got up early and had a great service at church. Then came home and enjoyed some sunshine. Kimmie played outside and I worked a little on the garden. Getting rows lined out and ready for planting.

Then we went and picked up my mom and brought her to our house for dinner. Onion Pork Chops with Mashed potatoes. YUMMY!!!

My excitement of the day came during pre-service prayer time at church. I was really kind of getting in a zone of worship when I suddenly heard my sweet girl crying. I looked down to see her running up on the stage to me with blood on her nose. She was supposed to be back in the back room with another little boy playing. When I got her calmed down and cleaned up and asked what happened. She informed me that she had snuck outside to play on the front steps and fell on the stairs.

She's got quite a bruise that runs up her forhead. Hopefully she doesn't have a black eye tomorrow. I'd really hate to have to tell people that she got a black eye at church. That doesn't sound to good really.

A Nice Day Bike Ride

2009-05-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

On the 29th my Kimmie has a bike-a-thon for her school. It's a fundraiser to help with tuition costs and other expenses that the school has. Some of the kids will be riding 13 miles but the younger kids will be riding almost 7 miles.

Today we finally had a break from the rain so I thought it was a good day for us to have a practice ride. We had Larry take us and our bikes to my mom's house and we rode home. Kimmie did great. She peddled her little legs on her little Princess bike. And we had a great time. We only road 4 miles today but it was still a great ride.

We have a wonderful trail to ride one here. The railroad stopped running through our valley years ago. So the powers that be decided to pull out the tracks and pave the railroad over. It runs 70+ miles through our beautiful valley. It's so nice to be able to ride/walk/run on a nice paved path. With no traffic to worry about.

This week has got to end

2009-05-07T21:18:00.000-07:00

So after this week has already drug me through the dirt. Today didn't start out any better. I got Kimmie to school and realized that I had forgotten my change of clothes for work. So back home I had to go. I missed my workout. Got back to town and ran to Walmart to pick up some pots to put the flowers we got my mom and Grandma for Mother's Day in. Then had to stop at the printers. I had signs to get printed and laminated for Relay for Life, copies of Relay info for another team captain to make and invitations for my Grandma's birthday party in need of printing. I got out of my car and promptly hit the lock button and closed the door. The instant the door shut I knew what I had done. My keys were in the car.

I got my printing done and then walked down town to work. Of course the only extra key for my car was in Larry's pocket and he was a mile underground at work. I called and left a message for him to call me. And figured last resort I would break a window out before I was about to pay $75 for a locksmith to come up and get my car open. Thanks to a 0 deductible and State Farm it would surely be cheaper to break the window and have it fixed at work then to pay the lock smith.

But I do work with some really AWESOME guys though. After they were done with their lunch break. They went up to my car and went to work with the slimjims. They got my car unlocked and brought it back to the office to me.

And my sweet husband didn't call me. Instead he just drove to town thinking that I still needed his help. And he didn't even give me the hard time that I was expecting from after the way the rest of my week has gone.

If I was a drinker I could easily have stopped at the bar tonight on my way home and stayed there. But alas that's not me anymore. So instead I picked up my girl from the sitter and came home. Made her chocolate chip pancakes for dinner. Potted those flowers for my little girl to take to my mom and Grandma. And thinking that there must be something I'm supposed to be learning from a week like this. Is it more acknowledment of how blessed I am? Is it having more patients with others and myself? I know I'm so very blessed. And I know I really need to work on my patients. So I just have to say.....enough already. I really don't think I can do many more days like this week has been.

Discouragement/Encouragement

2009-05-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a bit discouraging for me. It was my day off and I had more phone calls from work, asking questions about project we have in the works and some nit picking about little things.

Then I got a phone call from a man who is doing his own thing for Relay for Life and I swear he is going to make me crazy before Relay get here. He leaves these messages and talks to me like I'm stupid and that just makes me angry. Then I quite honestly don't want anything to do with him at all.

With all that going on my head really wasn't where it should be and I left my purse at Walmart. I didn't even realize that I had left it until a few hours later and then I had a panic attack (of course). I was frantically racking my brain trying to remember where I had it last. I called Walmart and thankfully they had it. When I went to get it I was so happy to find that everything was still in it.

I'm finding that when I have days like that if I just sit back with my IPod in the quiet by my self. Listening to songs of praise it so puts my head back where it needs to be and brings me back to center. I'm so greatful to have such a loving, encouraging God who can wrap me in his grace and mercy not just on days like yesterday. But everyday.

Gardening

2009-05-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

So the last few weekends we have been preparing our little garden areas. Two flower beds have been dug up and planted.

The first bed I dug out. You can see the wheel barrow full of grass and weeds that I pulled out.

Flower bed number 2 before I started on it.

And now finally the finished beds. Planted with pansies and petunias and then covered with back. The big bed by the house is also full of bulbs that will fill in the space nicely when they come up.

Then this morning my AWESOME boss brought his tractor to my house and tilled my garden for me. Six passes with the tractor and about 30 minutes and it was done. It would have taken me all day with a tiller that I would have had to push. Now we just need to go pick up seeds for what we want to plant and put up stakes for the climbing plants. It's my first garden and we're very excited about it.

Is your heart sick?

2009-04-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Last week a friend of ours had to have bypass surgery. A triple bypass and he's only 54. Guess all those years of working out of town, being single and not eating right have caught up with him. Thankfully the surgery went well and he was home on Monday. Now for the long recovery.

On to my question, is your heart sick? Saturday Larry was telling Kimmie that Kevin was at the doctor because his heart was sick. I wasn't privy to the conversation so I'm not sure what brought the subject up or what exactly was said. I just know what I was told later.

When he told her that Kevin's heart was sick, her response was "Daddy, you mean Kevin doesn't have Jesus in his heart?" What an amazing way of looking at it. Without Jesus in your heart your heart is sick. I swear this little girl puts a new perspective on things for me every day. She's only 4 1/2 and she already seems to get it. Understanding that you have to have Jesus in your heart and in your life.

I really have no idea if Kevin's heart is "sick" without Jesus. I've known him now for 17 years but never in a way that I would feel comfortable asking him that question. That's one issue that I have to really work on better and start stepping out of my comfort zone more on. And now I'm wondering how many people do I know that really have a "sick" heart. But I've never taken the time to ask them. Do you have a sick heart?

Spring Busy-ness has begun

2009-04-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Warm weather has finally begun to show it's lovely head around here. Atleast for a few days here and there. But with it has come the busy-ness of cleaning up the mess that winter has left behind.

Last weekend was wonderful. The sun was shining and it was warm out. We spent most of the weekend outside. Cleaning up the yard and digging up new flower beds. Kimmie had asked if we could plant a flower garden so we did. I still have the back yard to finish up but we'll get to it soon.

We also have plans to plant a vegetable garden this year. It will be our first time but we are very excited about it. Kimmie keeps talking about all the things we will be planting. She insisted that we plant corn on the cob not just corn.

I started walked in the past few weeks. With the sunshine and warm weather I just have to get out and enjoy it. And I'm trying to get myself more active. I'm trying to get in a walk at lunch atleast 3 days a week. On top of my Curves workout that I'm able to get in 3-4 mornings a week. And I've added a nice walk with friends each evening after dinner. Originally I would have preferred those evening walks to be kid free, Kimmie has insisted on joining us and it has definately been to my benifit. By the time we get back home she is worn out and bed time has become so easy.

Friday night Kimmie had a sleep over at my sister's. Larry and I had to laugh at ourselves because we had a kid free Friday night and we spent it cleaning the garage. We actually ended up with two truck loads that went to the dump. And another truck load of wood that we took to our Brother-in-law. Hopefully he'll be able to use it to make something pretty for someone.

This coming weekend will be busy for us as well. We have a parade on Saturday. And we'll be walking in it to promote Relay for Life. Larry will be working on the garage some more. We are putting a door into the back side of the garage so we have better access to that storage area for all our outdoor stuff (bikes, mower, etc). And we're hoping to get a bike ride it. So hopefully the weather will cooperate and we'll be able to get it all in.

Making a connection

2009-04-12T22:02:00.000-07:00

Last weekend at bedtime Kimmie brought me the story of the three little pigs. So we snuggled up together and I started reading. I read through the part of the first little pig and him building his house out of straw. Then the second little pig building his house out of trigs. It was at this point that my little girl looked at me and said "Momma those pigs are like the foolish man aren't they". She was referring to the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. I was shocked at first but of course my response was "yes they are, aren't they". So as I continued reading about the third little pig building his house of bricks I asked her who he was like. And she said "he's like the wise man mom".

I was pleasently surprised and impressed with how she made the connection between the three little pigs and the wise and foolish men. I certainly can't imagine putting that together myself. So we've continued talking about it this week. Discussing how we want to be like the third little pig (or the wise man who built his house upon the rock)so that our house (our life) is strong and sturdy. So that we can keep the wolf (Satan) out.

It's nice to know that not only is my little girl comprehending the Bible stories she's learning but she's also thinking about them. And anylizing them to make other connections. I guess she really is paying attention. Now if I can just ensure that it doesn't just stay in her head and makes it into her heart.

Happy Easter!!!

2009-04-12T14:07:00.001-07:00

We are so amazingly blessed to have a Savior who was willing to lay down his own life for us.

We have had a pretty good week this past week. The weather was wonderful. Warmth and sunshine to be enjoyed. Saturday though was cold and rainy. We went to the park to enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt. Although there wasn't much enjoyment. It was so cold and wet that we froze. Then the organizers decided to hold off the start of the hunt another 5 minutes in hopes that more kids would show. However by the time they started my Kimmie was so cold that she had lost interest. I got her to actually pick up about 3 eggs and a few candies. And then we headed home to warm up again.

This morning she was excited to see that the Easter Bunny had made an appearence at our house. She very excitedly hunted for the eggs that he had "pooped" all over the house for her to find. She chose to stay home from church instead of going with me.

We had a wonderful pancake, sausage and egg breakfast at church. Wonderful fellowship and the kids had lots of fun activities. Then we enjoyed a wonderful worship service. Then the creative arts department put on an awesome program. I had actually watched a video on YouTube last night that ended up being part of their program this morning. It's a good video but it was so much more moving in person.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and can take some time to remember how truly blessed we all are.

Finally the sun emerges from it's winter hybernation

2009-04-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful weekend here. The sun came out and the temps have hit 62 degrees. Perfect!!! I had a busy weekend. I tackled my house Friday night after dinner. Shampooed the carpet in the living room and got most everything else done. Saturday morning I finished the last few things I hadn't gotten to Friday night before going to bed. Then Kimmie and I headed outside.

Kimmie got to enjoy some time playing on her swingset and riding her bike. While I worked on the front yard and the driveway. Raking and cleaning up the mess that winter had left behind. It feels good to have it all cleaned up. Now it it would just green up quickly. Then we can really enjoy our outdoor space.

I still have a lot to do in the back yard but there is still a lot of snow back there. Hopefully it will be gone soon so I can get that mess cleaned up as well.

Freedom

2009-03-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

Freedom. That word has really been on my heart and mind for about the last month. And then this past week I was thinking about the Puritans and their quest for freedom. Can you imagine what it must have been like for them? To have such strong convictions for what they believed and what they were searching for that they were willing to walk away from everything they had, from family that weren't willing to make the same choice. To give it all up and get on a boat and head out across the ocean to what was essentially the unknown. They couldn't have really known what they were getting themselves into. Im sure they had some thought of the difficulties they would be facing but they couldn't have really known.

What is must have been like to feel so strongly about their belief in God to be willing to do that. And yet there are so many of us that have basically given up that freedom that our ancestors so desperately seaked all out of fear. The fear of what someone else might think.

We don't invite someone to church with us because they might think badly of us. We don't really let go of ourselves during worship service because we worry what someone else may think if they see us. We don't share the blessings that God has gives us for fear that someone will question it and then think less of us because we give God the glory and don't keep it for ourselves.

I know these are all things that I struggle with and they are things I'm working on. I like many people like to say that I don't care what anyone else thinks but deep down I think we all really do. I'm trying really hard to just give it all to God and let him worry about it.

So after all that had been going through my heart and mind the past few weeks I was a little surprised when the sermon at church this morning was on the topic of freedom. And one of the first questions asks was "What were the Puritans looking for when they came to America?". The sermon really stressed on freedom from financial bondage and that really set strong with me as well. I posted a while back on how God had really impressed upon me that this was our year to get out of debt. And I have been obediently working on it. Paying my tithes on my income (my husband isn't there yet). Anyway, paying my tithes and paying off our debt. Little by little it's getting smaller. In January and February (all be it with the help of our tax return) I was able to pay off a third of the total. What a freeing feeling!

And while so many people are worried and concerned about where their jobs may be going I'm honestly not worried about it. I am having faith and believing that as long as I am obedient to what the Father has told me to do that He will provide the means for me to do just that. And you know I'm already seeing the blessings come forth. The lessened stress in my life is amazing. No more worrying about wither or not I can pay this or that. As well as a few other blessings that we have been given to us that we are so very greatful for.

One of the things that was stressed this morning was not to get complacent. When you get to the point where you are no longer in bondage (wither it be spiritual, financial or whatever) and have reached the point of being in freedom from (those things) keep moving forward towards having the freedom to (do whatever it is you are supposed to be doing). Because if you get complaincent it's a slippery down hill slide back into bondage.

Busy months ahead

2009-03-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

I was sitting yesterday and thinking about all I have planned between now and summer and thought "Holy Cow I'm going to be a busy girl".

I'm on the committee for Relay for Life. Our Kick Off Party is April 8th. That is really the start of our fundraising and getting everything ready for Relay. I am chairperson for sponsorship and team captain for my team. So I have to get our sponsors organized and my team as well.

For my teams big fundraiser this year I'm planning a "Relay Idol" competition. I would really like to get that together and done in May. There will also be our "flockings" that will begin in April.

My grandma will be celebrating her 85th birthday in June so I'm planning a party for her. We haven't had a family get together since 2001 when my grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary. So I think it's time for us to get together again. As well as thinking that an 85th birthday is a big deal.

In July I'm taking pictures at a class reunion. The classes of 48, 49 and 50.

Then in August we finally get to Relay for Life. I'm so excited about it again this year. Kimmie and I had so much fun last year. And I think it's so important to get her involved. Then finally we will be celebrating her 5th birthday and getting ready for school again.

The summer is going to fly by. But it will all be fun and well worth the work.

A winter storm warning? What? Are you kidding me?

2009-03-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

We are so close to the end of March. What's that old saying? March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. So then what is happening that tonight we have a winter storm warning that is predicting 8 to 14 inches of snow by lunch time tomorrow. Oh I do so pray that they are wrong. The snow in my yard is almost gone. I have actually made plans to get rid of whatever may be left in the front yard on Saturday. Even if I have to shovel it out into the street I am getting rid of it. So please no more snow. I'm really trying to get out of my winter blah mood and more snow certainly won't help me in that process.

Changes in my girl

2009-03-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say that I am definately seeing some changes in my little girl's behavior. Twice this week we have had to run to the store and normally she would be running off and thinking it's a funny game to run away from me trying to get me to play a game of chase that in turn just makes me angry and a fight insues. Well she started to run ahead of me and I just said "Kimberly" and she stopped and turned around. I said "you need to come back here and stay with me". And much to my amazement she walked back to my side and held my hand all the way through the store. I was totally shocked and wanted to know who this strange kid was.

Tonight she was laying on the floor in my room kicking the door. Her dad told her to stop and a while later she started in again. So I took her by the hand and led her to her room. Told her to sit on her bed until the timer went off. There was no fit. She sat on her bed and when the timer went off we talked about what she had done and then she apologized for not obeying (to both of us).

I'm in no way thinking that this sudden Stepford child is here to stay but I'll certainly enjoy it and hope that the good behavior continues.

On another bragging note. I was so proud of her today. At her school they have been having "Spirit Fridays" this past month. I think they have been looking for things to get the cabin fever and dullness of the end of winter. So today was King/Queen day. The kids got to dress up and wear their "royal attire" to school today. Of course my girl went as a Princess. She had been telling me this week that she was going to take two extra tiaras to school with her incase someone didn't have one to wear. Sure enough 2 little girls in her class didn't have tiaras today and she shared. I was so proud of her thinking ahead and making sure that no one in her class was left unable to dress up like a Princess. I surely hope I can continue to cultivate that in her. The ability to think of others and share what we can when we can.

Feeling better

2009-03-19T22:25:00.000-07:00

After spending the day at home Monday with my sick girl. She shared her germs with me so Tuesday I sent her to school and spent most of the day in bed. I'm feeling much better and Kim is on the mend as well. She still has a bit of a cough so I took her to the doctor yesterday. The poor thing has bronchitis. Thankfully the meds don't taste to bad so I didn't have to fight with her to get her to take it.

We are looking forward to tempatures in the 50's finally. The snow is melting and spring is coming. I'm so looking forward to cleaning up the winter grime and getting some warmth and color back around our house.

Sick Little One

2009-03-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Well I'm home today with a sick little girl. She was running a fever Saturday night and most of yesterday but seemed ok by bedtime last night. Then I had the rude awakening this morning at about 4:30 to vomit in my bed. Why is it always in my bed? So I called in to work and kept her home. No fever today she just can't seem to keep anything down. Before 8:00 I had given her 2 baths, washed 3 loads of laundry and stripped my bedding. She's all snuggled up on the sofa now with a cozy blanket and a cup of water watching a movie. Hopefully this is a bug that will pass quickly and she'll be back to normal very soon.

I think I will get a few things finished up around the house and maybe work on my sponsorship letters that need to be sent out for Relay for Life. It would be nice to have those finished up and checked off my list of things to do.

Is it possible to go from below 0 to 50 in a week?

2009-03-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

We had a cold snap this week. A couple of days of below 0 temps but they are saying that it's supposed to warm up. They say 50 degrees next week. Is it even possible to go from below 0 to 50 in a week? I sure hope so. Friday is the first day of Spring and I'm so needing the warm weather and sunshine. I'm really looking forward to yard work and planting flowers with Kimmie.

This has been a rough week for us. Kimmie and I have had a few pretty good battles but I've held my ground with her and we got through each of them. I'm really learning so much about myself as I'm reading more of the book I'm reading. I guess just one day at a time and one battle at a time. And I'm so looking forward to the ending results.

I'm still working on my spring cleaning. I was able to get one more room finished on Tuesday and today I got a storage area completely cleaned out and reorganized. My trunk if full of stuff that needs to be dropped off at Goodwill. Another 2 big bags of little girl clothes for a friend and 2 boxes of brand new baby clothes (still with tags) that I will be mailing off to a couple of friends. One just had a little girl and antoher is due next week. It really feels good to get that stuff out of my house.

It's definately a Monday here

2009-03-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

I spent last night fighting with the blogger code trying to update the look of my blog. Finally after having to put it down and walk away for a bit I got it to work. It was time for a new look.

This morning I think the time change caught up with us for sure. I really didn't want to get up and Kim struggled to wake up as well. It will definately be an early bedtime tonight for her.

We have more snow today and the bitter cold is supposed to come in tonight along with some bone chilling wind. So I'm going home and fixing dinner. I'm going to finish up a little bit of cleaning that needs to be done in the rest of the house so that tomorrow I can tackle the computer room with my spring cleaning. That room has become a catch all for everything and it's time to clear it out. That should take me most of the day. Scarey how even a small room can consume an entire day when you get to doing a deep cleaning on it.

I also have a meeting tomorrow afternoon and then Kim and I have hair appointments tomorrow afternoon. We are going to a gal that used to cut my hair years ago. Maybe I'll get a new look. It is about that time. Kim just needs her usual trim. She keeps telling me that she wants her hair cut short but I'm not going to do that. I don't think she really knows what that would mean and I can't bare the thought of cutting off her curls.

What a way to fill up a day off. Cleaning, meetings and appointments. I guess that's what a day off is used for. Oh how nice it would be if it was warm and sunny out and I could get outside and enjoy the day.

How was your week?

2009-03-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

This past week has been a long one for sure. After our car accident last week we were truly blessed when a dear friend offered us loan of her car so I didn't have to work to figure out how to get Kim to and from school and myself to and from work. My sister was very willing to work it all out with me but I was so thankful for my friend's offer. It's just so hard to work out 2 trips to and from town a day and 3 peoples schedules with 1 car.

So my car was ready to go from the body shop on Wednesday. I happy that they were so quick. Just six days and now it's looks brand new again. I got a new bumper, new headlamp, new radiator, new air conditioner condensor, and a small ding worked out of my fender. The air conditioner recharged and complete 4 wheel alignmnet. All for the grand total of $2600, thank heaven for State Farm. My car looks great now though and even runs and drives better then it was before. So there are a few things that would have needed done before summer was over so in that respect the accident was really a bit of a blessing.

We've had typical March weather. Near 50 degrees early in the week and then a blizzard yesterday. The blizzard gave us another 4 inches of snow and was so bad at one point that I couldn't see across the street. I was not thrilled. I'm not a fan of winter anyway and by this time in the season I'm really done with it.

I also got a new parenting book from church and have been working on some issues with Kim. She really can be such a sweet kid but definately has issues with thinking that she is in control and can do whatever she wants. And She doesn't listen to well when I'm trying to get her to do what she needs to do. So we are working on these issues. And today was definately a battle day. We got to church and the fit started. Unfortunately we ended up spending nearly the first hour of church in the car while she threw her fit. Finally she settled down and I gave her the final choice of going in and sitting on my lap in the back prayer room where we could still hear the service over the speaker or staying in the car until service was over. She of course wanted to go home but that wasn't one of the options. She finally decided that we could go in and sit in the back room. It was definately a rough morning but I won that battle. We are now one step closer to where we need to be. I hadn't realized that we were really child-centered parents. And that is really hard not to do when you have an only child but we will get past this and get to the next step.

So how was your week? Anything new and exciting in your world?

Spring Cleaning

2009-03-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year. When I get the chance to go from room to room cleaning and clearing out each room. Today I started in Kim's room. Clearing out toys that she no longer plays with or doesn't need. There really wasn't to much since I had just done that before Christmas. But I did get rid of one trash bag full. I was only able to get that one room done today but it's one room done. My plan is to take a room a week until it's done. I would certainly prefer to get it all done more quickly but getting the time together to do it can be difficult at times. But I'll get it all done.

March Menu

2009-03-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

I sometimes really struggle with deciding what to fix for dinner. After 16 years of marriage and having to make that decision every night it's no wonder. But I've been trying to get a monthly menu set in place at the beginning of the month and man has it ever made my life easier. I am loving having it already worked out and not having to think about it every day. So here is the menu for March. I still have a couple of days that I haven't a clue. Will probably have to pick Larry's brain and see if there is something we haven't had in a long time that he's been wanting.

1 Goulash
2 Stouffer's is cooking tonight
3 Steak, baked potatoes, cheesy brocolli
4 Ham and Eggs
5 Clam Chowder and Grilled Cheese
6 Pizza Night
7 Ham and Beans
8 Chicken Enchiladas
9 tacos
10 Inside Out Mushroom Swiss Burgers
11 Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
12 Pork Fried Rice
13 Take Out
14 Chili
15 Chicken and Green Olive Spaghetti
16 Beef Fajitas
17 Parmesean Chicken
18
19
20 Pizza Night
21 Tostados
22 Pork Chops in onion gravy and mashed potatoes
23
24 Chunky Chicken Rice Soup
25
26
27 Stouffer's Frozen Dinner
28 Chicken Corn Casserolle
29 chicken fried steak
30
31 Take Out

I love relaxing Saturdays

2009-02-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

You know when you get the opportunity to stay in your jammies all day and not do much. Kim had me up at 6:30 so sleeping in was out. But I was able to get the little bit of cleaning I needed to do done quickly and spent the rest of the day really not doing much at all.

Kim had a friend over to play for a few hours, so that kept her occupied. And I just kicked back and watched a movie and did a little reading. I got most of March's menu together. Still have to figure out a couple of nights and get my grocery list together.

Tomorrow we have church in the morning. Then I do have a couple of loads of laundry to finish up in the afternoon. And I will need to hook up with my sister to figure out how I'm getting Kim to school and myself to work this week. Hopefully my car will be ready early in the week rather then later.

Weekend Plans

2009-02-27T16:48:00.001-08:00

Oh I'm so ready for the weekend. After all the excitement yesterday with my car I'm just ready to kick back and relax and do very little. Although I do have a few things I need to get accomplished. There really isn't to much house work to get caught up on. A few loads of laundry and a little clean up here and there. So I was thinking of tackling the closet in my room and clearing out some things. I need to get our menu in order for March. And I have a ton of reading to get through as well. And then getting transporation lined out for next week. I'll have to call my sister for that one. But that's really about it. What do you have planned for the weekend?

Have I mentioned.......

2009-02-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

how much I HATE WINTER????? Well in case you have missed it before, I hate it. I hate everything about it. The cold, the snow, the ice, the roads. Everything. And today was certainly no exception.

This morning we got up to it snowing. After we had such a nice weekend last week I was certainly hoping that we were getting a reprieve from this awful weather and looking forward to spring. But I suppose we have to endure a bit more. We headed out the door and on our way. Kimmie needed to get to school and I usually get in an hour at the gym before heading off to work. But instead, we got down the road and ended up in a snow bank. Actually we ended up on the other side of that snow bank. There is this awful corner down the road from our house that even in the summer makes me nervous and when I started to turn to make the corner my car decided it would continue on the straight path we were on. Up and over the snow bank and through a 4x4 post holding a street sign. There we were. Of course (as any mother in an accident with her kid in the car) I had a heart attack. I checked on Kim to make sure she was ok. She said she was but the seat belt had gotten tight and hurt her neck. "Oh thank God it did it's job," I said.

I called to get an officer and a tow truck. I couldn't see what kind of damage had been done to my car because of the snow we were in but I knew it couldn't be good. My friend (the chief of police) was on duty (the same one that plowed my drive way). And another friend was driving the tow truck (I love being in a small town and knowing everyone).

My sister came and picked us up and took Kim to school and me to work. And then loaned me her car so I could get home from work. I'll have to use Larry's truck, thankfully he has Fridays off right now. Then for next week my sister said she would help me figure out what we need to do to get Kim to school and me to work.

It's just a car and that can be fixed. I'm just so greatful that my sweet girl and I are both ok. But I still HATE WINTER!!!!

How much is $789 Billion, really?

2009-02-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the "stimulus" package that our Congress and President passed this past week. As I'm sure most everyone has been thinking. And that of course leads to the question, how much is $789 Billion, really? How could anyone really put that amount of money into perspective. Most of us will never see that amount of money in our life time. Even if we added our yearly salaries together it still our never come close to that amount.

I was listening to the radio on my way to work the other day and they said that if you started the day that Jesus Christ was born and spent $1 Million dollars a day. You would still have spent LESS money then what Congress and our President spent last week. 1 Million dollars a day, EVERY DAY for 2009 years. That is absolutely insane to me.

If they had taken that money and divided it up amongst the 300 Million people that live in this country we would have each gotten roughly $2600. But instead out government thinks that giving money to big business will help the little guy and the bottom of the pile. And now that they have passed this bill. With the unbelievable amount of money spent. That we as tax payers are going to have to pay back at some point, our President admitted on television last night that this is only going to be a short term fix and in the long run it isn't going to help our economic down turn. So then why prolong the inevitable?

I guess I will never understand how our government can rationalize spending more money when we don't have any to spend. You and I would never get away with printing more money to cover what we want to spend even though we really don't have it. And why on earth are we bailing out these big companies that have screwed up their budget and gone in the hole. If we do that no one (especially our government) is going to give us money to fix the problem. Especially to give them money with no stipulations for getting it. Like they did with the money that was give before Christmas. Who in the world would give $850 Billion to someone and not put terms on it? Well I guess our governemnt does because of course when they run out of money they can always print more.

Wow this post has really gotten on a venting path hasn't it. Sorry didn't mean to go that way with it. Just was trying to put that HUGE dollar amount into perspective for myself.

It was a very nice Sunday

2009-02-22T22:34:00.000-08:00

I got to sing at church today as part of the worship team and I really enjoyed it. It was so nice to be able to get up on the stage and hold that mic in my hand and sing for HIM. There is something about singing in public that really lifts me up and to be able to sing for His glory makes it all that much better.

Then we got the priviledge of sharing some wonderful fellowship time and great food with a potluck this evening.

And now it's back to another work week. I can't believe there is only a week left of February and March will be here. Spring is around the corner and will be here before we know it. Thank heaven for that. When I brought Kim home from school on Friday the tree in our front yard had a load of robins in it. A wonderful sign of warm weather to come.

Tuesday I get another wondeful day to myself. Hopefully this week will be better then last week. My poor sweet girl is still having to deal with the bully problem at school and last week she spent the entire morning in tears. Her teacher finally called me and I went and got her.

Quite frankly I think that the children who are the problem should be sent home but I went and got her and took her out of the situation. I did get some good advice from my Pastor though. She suggested that I talk to Kim about it and explain to her that the reason these 2 kids are so mean is because they don't have Jesus in their hearts and they don't know how much He loves them and how much He loves her.

So she and I talked about it and she understands all those points. And I asked her if there was something really special she could pray to Jesus and ask him to give to the kids that are being mean to her, what would she ask Him to give them. My sweet girl said "I would ask Jesus to give them a great big hug like I give you momma". I couldn't be more proud of her. Even with these 2 kids making her feel sad she understands (atleast a little bit) that they need His love. I'm going to keep reinforcing that with her and helping her to pray for these 2 kids. If at the very least she will have a different perspective on them and hopefully she will be able to move forward and not be so sensitive to the taunting.

I think it's just appauling that in Preschool we have to deal with the issue of bullying but we will deal with it the best we can. I keep asking myself what ever happened to parents teaching their children how to treat others and how to be kind and conciderate of others.

Losing my motivation

2009-02-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

I know it's the time of year. Winter has gone on long enough and I always tend to get a bit sluggish about now. I just feel blah. I don't really want to do anything. I'm tired and if I could get away with staying in bed. I forced myself to go to Curves this morning but I tell you I didn't really work very hard. I need to get some sunshine and warmth back. Any tips to get over the winter humbugs?

"Without faith there is no hope"

2009-02-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

I heard that quote this week and it got me thinking. Without faith there is no hope. And if there is no hope there there is nothing to dream about or to look forward too. So if you have nothing to dream about or look forward too then I have to ask what's the point.

When that whole thought process was going through my head I began to think about a few people I know that don't believe and how they look at life. How they think that everything in life is stacked up against them. How they always get the bad deal. And it was like a flood light went on. They have no faith. They have no hope.

If they have no faith then they don't see that there are good things to hope for. And good things to look forward too. They only see the lows that happen in life and aren't paying attention to the highs.

We all have ups and downs and I now see that having faith really does make the difference in how you see those ups and downs and how you react to them.

Busy Weekend

2009-02-07T18:33:00.001-08:00

Since my boss is in Hawaii on vacation and it's been pretty quiet at the shop we decided to take yesterday off and enjoy a three day weekend. So after Kim got out of school yesterday (she gets out at 1:30 on Fridays) we headed to town for a little shopping. We needed a few things so I took advantage of the free afternoon.

Fist stop was at the Christian book store. I needed to pick up a new Bible. Since I started going to church again the Bible I have been using is one that my Grandma gave me. And it was printed in the Republic of Korea. I have been worried that something would happen to it. So I got a very pretty pale green one. I just love it. We also picked up Valentine's cards for Kim to take to school and Kim had to get a new little pink Bible for herself.

Then it was on to Shopko for a few things that Larry needed. The pet store to get a new "Sharky". Sharky is an algae eating fish and the one she had unfortunately didn't make it the last time I cleaned the tank and inadvertently put to hot of water in. My bad. Last stop was the dollar store to pick up some little things for Valentine gifts for Kim's classmates. I always try to do a little something extra for her friends on Valentine's in addition to their cards. We grabbed pizza from Papa Murphy's and back home we went.

Today the weather seems to be a little better. I think it's warmed up quite a bit. The snow has been melting off the house and the cat has been eyeing some robins that were flying out the window. I've been busy cleaning, organizing and clearing out some clutter. I went to the hardware store and grabbed the stuff for Larry to put up some shelving above the washer. I have been wanting them for a long time and decided that today was the day to just do it. It looks so much better in there now with all those cleaning supplies and Kim's craft stuff put up and off my washer and dryer.

I've got a couple of bags and boxes of Christmas ornaments and clothing that Kim has out grown in the car now. I'll drop them off at Goodwill tomorrow after church. When I grabbed the mail today I was pleasently surprised to find that the new pillows I had ordered arrived. Those will be nice to sleep on tonight. It's really quite sad to admit how long we have had our old ones. We were way beyond due to replace them.

I got the space cleared out and ready for a new stationary bike that should be here sometime this next week. Larry had been wanting one and I suppose it will make for a nice addition to the treadmill. I even reran the cable lines to hook the tv up by the treadmill so now we can watch whatever we want while on it. It had been connected to the bedroom digital box with a splitter so we had to watch the same thing on both tv's. So now that has been fixed.

I got all the laundry finished. Just need to fold it all and put it away. Will get that finished up after Kim goes to bed.

Got the fish tank cleaned and moved away from the heater vent. The algae was growing like crazy. More then the cleaning fish could keep up with.

So now dinner is ready and I can sit back and relax a bit. I'll finish up the laundry folding after Kim goes to bed and enjoy the quiet of the evening.

Gotta Love Mrs. Potato Head

2009-02-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

Our lovely cable system sold our Super Bowl slot to some Canadian network. So we got to watch the game but missed all the good commercials and most of the half time show. So I took advantage of the internet and in my own time watch what really is the best part of the game anyway. The commercials. I think this one has to be my favorite. I mean I can't even begin to count the number of times I have had to "put on my angry eyes" and give Larry the look.

I'm SO ready for summer

2009-02-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

You will NEVER hear a complaint from me about how hot it is during the summer. I am not one of those people who gets all miserable while sweltering in the heat. I LOVE the summer. So it's a bit discouraging when the darn groundhog pops his head up on February 2nd and sees his shadow. For telling another 6 weeks of this cold miserable weather.

Who ever said he had the power to control the seasons anyway?. Stupid groundhog.

I know I sound a bit hateful today but I'm just tired of freezing. I've never been a big winter fan. I once thought that I would atleast force myself to enjoy it more when Kim was big enough to want to go out in it. But she's my girl and while the occasional moment of building a snowman has come about she would much rather be inside snuggling with a blanket and a good movie.

So I guess I'll spend another six weeks of starting my car 20 minutes before we have to leave in the morning. Six more weeks of scaping my windows so I can see. Six more weeks of tredging through snow to get where I need to go. Six more weeks of bundling up with layers to keep warm. I guess the only good thing is that the way time flies these days that six weeks will be hear and gone before we know it. Well time does slow down when it's cold though.

Why wouldn't HE love me that much?

2009-01-31T20:16:00.000-08:00

I've really had something on my heart and mind this week. I've been married for almost 16 years now. Longer then most of the people I know. That in it's self is a wonderful accomplishment that my husband and I are very proud of. These have not all been easy years. We've had our ups and downs as in every marriage. We've also made very poor choices that could have ended our marriage had we not been willing to look at the bigger picture and fight for our relationship.

So I've been thinking about all the poor choices I've made in the past years that could have easily ended my marriage. But I am so blessed to have a husband who loves me and values our marriage enough to say "I love you and I'm not going anywhere and we're going to work this out."

So I'm left to ask if my husband. An average man. Who is human and full of his own flaws can love me that much then why wouldn't God love me that much. Even with all my poor choices and all the times I've walked away and turned my back on Him, how wonderful is it to know that HE loves me enough to say "I'm not going anywhere". And how wonderful to know that when I finally get my act together again and return to Him, HE is there waiting with open arms to welcome me home again.

Menu Planning

2009-01-30T22:46:00.000-08:00

In an effort to get the amount of money we are spending at the grocery store under control I've taken a page from my friend over at Blessed Frugalness Times Two With Twins and made a menu plan for the next month. I think it's ridiculous that I have been stopping at the store on my way home daily to get what we're having for dinner and it's frightening to see the total that is going out to the grocery store.

So here it is....

24 Pizza Night
25 Parmesan Chicken, Salad
26 BBQ Ribs, Baked Beans
27 Hot Dogs, Sour Kraut, Mashed Potatoes
28 Ham and Eggs
29 Soup and Sandwiches
30 ***TAKE OUT***
31 Sloppy Joes
1 Pot Roast
2 Steaks, vegies
3 Stroganoff and egg noodles
4 Pork Chops, Cheesy Brocolli, Apple Sauce
5 Pancakes, Bacon, Eggs
6 Pizza Night
7 Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes
8 Burritos
9 Split Pea Soup (crock pot)
10 Nachos
11 Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice
12
13 ***TAKE OUT***
14 Mac & Cheese
15 Steak and Salad
16 Tacos
17 Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
18 Ham and Eggs
19 Parmesean Chicken and Vegies
20 Pizza Night
21 Tostados
22 Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Vegie
23 Steak and Salad
24 Pork Chops, Cheesy Brocolli, Apple Sauce
25
26 Soup and Sandwichs
27 ***TAKE OUT***
28 Ham and Beans

Every other Friday is pizza night. Kim and I make homemade little individual pizzas and we have family movie night. I even made room for take out nights to give myself a break. I went shopping last weekend and bought nearly everything that we will need for the month. I will have to go back to get fresh produce, milk and bread as needed. But I am no longer stopping at the store daily. What an absolute waste of time and money.

This past week has gone so smooth. I am loving having a plan again. It's been a long time since I was organized for dinner like this. Thanks for the inspiration Marva.

An Official Member of the ONE FOOT CLUB

2009-01-27T18:55:00.000-08:00

Today was my weigh and measure day at Curves. As of today I have lost 12.50 inches over all and 9.25 pounds. It's not coming off nearly as quickly as I would like it to but I suppose a loss is a loss so I can't complain.

Prophetic Assembly

2009-01-21T07:06:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of our Daniel Fast at church for most of the congregation. I will be continuing until Saturday though. Starting Thursday night we will be having Prophetic Assembly at church. I am on the list for prophecy for Saturday morning. I'm really excited about it. I thought I would be nervous about it but I'm really excited. I am looking forward to hearing what God has to say for me. And to see where he is leading me to go with my Christian walk.

A Day in History

2009-01-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

What a day we have had in our country today!!! How wonderful that we have the privilege of living in a country where we have a say in who's leading our nation. How wonderful that we have the privilege to witness another great day in history for our country.

Wither you voted for Obama or not and wither you agree with his stands on the issues or not you have to agree that this was a wonderful day in history. On the radio today they were talking about how the White House has now come full circle. It was African American slaves that built the White House and now there is an African American moving into the White House.

I remember early in the campaign (while Hillary was still in the running) wondering if our country was ready to put either a woman or a black man in the White House. Even with all the accomplishments we have made over the past 100 years and more in particularly over the past 50 years towards equal rights and anti-racism, I still had to wonder if it was enough. And while I'm excited to see that our country was able to put race aside I still see that it's an issue. And it's an issue because the media makes it an issue. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the day come when the color of a person's skin isn't even brought into the discussion.

Martin Luther King said "I dream of the day when my children are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of the character" and I pray that I get to see that day. I pray that I get to see the day when the content of ones character far out ways sex, creed or race. To see a day when an NFL team wins the Super Bowl and the media doesn't make an issue out of the coach being a black man. The day when a woman makes it to the White House (it could happen) and the issue of her being a woman isn't really a big deal but her stand on the issues and what she can do for our country is.

I hope that I am doing a good job of raising my daughter in that manner. To look at a man like Obama and see A MAN not a black man. To look at a person with a disability and see the person not their disability.

So wither you voted for Obama or not and wither you agree with him or not, please join me in praying for him. Praying that God gives him the wisdom he will need to lead our country and to work to turn our economical turmoil around.

I've been tagged

2009-01-18T17:47:00.001-08:00

I was tagged the other day by Blessed Frugalness Times Two With Twins
and finally got a chance to post my pic. So here it is.

My silly girl playing with her panties on her head.

So here are the rules:

1. Go to the fourth folder where you keep your photos.

2. Post the fourth picture in that folder.

3. Explain the picture.

4. Tag four fellow bloggers to join in the fun.

So I'm going to have to tag

1. MCA Designs

2. Silver Valley Girl

3. Connie's Corner

4. I'll have to come back to this one.

Nothing is Impossible

2009-01-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

This morning at church Pastor Carey was talking about our destiny that God has instore for each of us and how on HE knows what that destiny is. She was talking about how excited she is to see God's work in each of our lives and in our Valley in 2009. I am too. She then asked us each to right down a few things on a peice of paper.

1. Possible - Something that I think is possible in 2009. To be our of debt. I truly believe that that is Gods plan for us this year and I trust that He will provide for us to achieve that goal.

2. Highly Improbably - Something that I think is highly improbable and will really need God's help in making it happen. For Larry to find God and join Kim and I in our walk with HIM.

3. Impossible - Something that I think is impossible. Nothing is impossible for God.

So now we'll wait to see God's work in our lives this year.

What a great day...

2009-01-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

Today was a day for ME. I dropped Kim off at school and headed to Curves. Weighed it and got the great news that I had lost 2 pounds this past week. Just 1 away from my first 10 pound goal. Then I came home and finished up my laundry and cleaned up the rest of the house. Then I got to sit in the quiet and eat my lunch while I read some more in my Bible. I took a nice long shower and really enjoyed the hot water. Picked Kim up from school and took her to the doctor. Now I'm sitting her enjoying Biggest Loser and relaxing by myself since Kim and Larry are both in bed. I just love days like this.

Fatherhood

2009-01-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

I saw this commercial over on another great blog that I love Absolutely True. I thought this was hilarious and had to share it with you. And if you've never been over to Absolutely True you should go check it out she always has the greatest stuff there.

Board Games from the 70's and 80's

2009-01-10T09:28:00.001-08:00

When we were kids we had a ton of board games. My brother and I would spend hours playing on days that the weather was horrible so we didn't go out to play. I was thinking about it the other day and remembered one of my favorites, Match II. Funny that it came to mind for me because I hadn't thought about it in years.

It was a great memory game that I'm sure I never thought about how educational it actually was at the time. But I would imagine that's one of the reasons my mom bought it for us. Matching up all the flags of the world. It's funny that now you get a memory game for your kids and they are filled with Disney characters or some other cartoon and we thought that flags of the world was fun.

So tell me about a game from your childhood.

4 Year Old Shoots Babysitter

2009-01-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

I saw this article on MSN yesterday and have been thinking a lot about it since.

Police say a 4-year-old boy in southern Ohio shot his baby sitter because the sitter accidentally stepped on his foot.
Four-Year-Old Boy Shoots His Baby SitterPolice in Jackson, Ohio, say an angry 4-year-old Ohio boy grabbed a gun from a closet and shot his baby sitter. (Jan. 6)
Police said 18-year-old Nathan Beavers and several other teenagers were baby-sitting several young children in a mobile home in Jackson on Sunday when the shooting occurred.
Witnesses told police the 4-year-old retrieved the shotgun from a bedroom closet and shot Beavers. Police said the child was angry because Beavers accidentally stepped on his foot.
Beavers was hospitalized with minor pellet wounds to his arm and side.
Police say another teen was also injured with shotgun pellets.
Jackson County Sheriff John Shashteen said authorities are investigating the shooting. The child has not been charged.

After reading this I was left thinking that there is a serious anger issue in this little boy. For a 4 year old to get that violently angry is very scarey. Then I have to wonder why on earth a 4 year old would have access to a shot gun and why in the world he would have the knowledge of how to use it. It makes me really wonder what goes on in that household. I do hope that for his sake someone seriously looks into it.

So now we have rain

2009-01-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

We've gotten quite a bit of snow the past few days and now this evening it has started raining. That should surely make for a nice drive to work tomorrow. And if it wasn't for my favorite Chief of Police plowing my driveway again today it would be interesting getting out of the driveway in the morning. All part of enduring winter in the Northwest.

I'm looking forward to having the day off on Thursday. I know you're thinking "but you just had 12 days off". But this is finally another day all to myself. Well that is of course if Larry's work gets the part he needs so he can go back to work. I could really use a day alone to get my house organized again. It's amazing how out of sorts it gets when everyone is home for so many days.

Oh the vacation is over

2009-01-04T21:47:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a nice 12 days. We've gotten through the holidays and set our goals for the new year. But it's over and tomorrow we are back to the grind stone. The alarm is set for 6:00AM and the lunches are planned for packing in the morning. Kimmie will be back to school at 8:00 and then I'm off to Curves. I've missed my workout and am so looking forward to getting back on track again. But it's late so I'm off to bed.

Living in a small town

2009-01-02T18:08:00.001-08:00

I love living in a small town. One of the perks is knowing most everyone. We got a bit of snow last night so this afternoon I got all dressed up in my snow gear and headed out to the driveway to shovel. I really hate shoveling but I suppose I hate having my car stuck in my driveway more. One of our Chief of Police (whom I've known since I was a kid) was plowing our street with the big loader. He stopped in front of my house and chatted with me. He asked me if I had had enough of this winter stuff yet. I said "well I haven't gotten stuck in my driveway yet so it's not to bad". He joked that he had the equipment to fix that for me. I then joked back "well I was thinking I could just move my car and you could clear it out for me" He said "sure no problem". So I moved my car and he quickly plowed my driveway for me. Then he continued clearing the rest of our street. One of those wonderful perks to living in a small town. You would never see the Chief of Police plowing the streets and they certainly wouldn't stop to plow a private driveway in the city.

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T17:37:00.000-08:00

Well we've begun another new year. Last night I took Kim and my niece to a little party at church. We ate great finger foods and played games. Had great laughs and enjoyed the time together. We were home by 10:30. The girls were wore out and fell asleep in no time.

Today has been a lazy day. Still in our jammies. I started my fast with dry whole grain toast for breakfast and apple cider. Then for lunch I had a raspberry/banana soy smoothie that I have to say was very yummy and I'll be looking forward to another one tomorrow. We snacked on popcorn and then I made some yummy vegetable barley soup for dinner. It's just loaded with vegies and very filling with the barley. This will definately be on my menu again.

I also read 7 chapters in my Bible. The One Year Bible is set up so that you can read Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. If you read what is set aside for each day you will read the entire Bible in one year. I can break it up like that though I feel like I'm reading 4 books and trying to keep the story straight is tough. So I thought I would read all of one book and then move to the next and go from there. This morning I started with Genesis, where better to start then "In the beginning...." If I can get some quiet time to myself tonight before I'm to tired I'll read some more.

30 posts in 30 days

2008-12-30T23:14:00.001-08:00

Last month my friend, Silver Valley Girl, over at Silver Valley Stories set a goal of 30 posts in 30 days and made that goal. When she posted her accomplishment I thought I can do that. I've been trying to be a more active blogger and so I set that goal for myself. Well I did it.

I wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year. Kimmie has a cousin sleeping over tonight so we will be having a little party together. We may head to church for the party they are having there.

I hope 2009 is blessed and healthy for you and your families.

Daniel Fast and New Year Goals

2008-12-30T08:56:00.000-08:00

Many in my church are participating in a 21 day Daniel Fast starting on the 1st. So today I'm going to sit down and make up a menu for myself (because I'm sure my hubby won't be participating. So the start of my year will be with that, reading more of my Bible and prayer.

My other resolutions, I hate to call them resolutions because that word just seems to invoke failure to me. I mean how many people really follow through with the resolution they set for themselves. So instead I'm going to call it New Year Goals.

1st ~ My goal is to get closer to God and put him 1st. I am going to spend more time on him. And try harder to give up my control and let him lead me where he wants me to be.

2nd ~ Getting out of debt. We have about $15,000 worth of debt that I am going to get paid off before the end of 2009. This includes my car that has 30 payments left on it. My goal is to pay off all our debt, pay all of our monthly bills ahead and get money in savings.

3rd ~ My goal is to be healthier, lose weight and get in shape. I would like to walk in Bloomsday again in May and I would like to be in better shape and a smaller size by my birthday in July.

I think that as long as I put God first as in my 1st goal for the new year that the other 2 will follow right into place.

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." —Matthew 19:26

We're all in this together

2008-12-29T16:46:00.001-08:00

I just saw this commercial and had to share it. Incase you haven't seen it, it will definately touch your heart.

My 100th Post

2008-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

It's after 9:30 in the morning and Kim is STILL asleep. I'm going to really have to play hard with her today to get her to go to bed tonight at a decent hour. I have used the morning to give my blog a fresh wintery look. It was time for something new.

Today we are planning on meeting my cousin for lunch. She lives in Boise and I haven't seen her in forever. Actually I think that last time we were able to get together was for my babyshower. How could that happen? That was over 4 years ago.

It's a little sad to see how life and our own families have spread all of us apart to the point that we rarely see each other. There are 12 of us (cousins) and as we were growing up we spent so much time together. There was atleast one day a month that we all got together at Grandma's house for the family birthday party or holiday. Then there was all the time we spent back and forth between eachothers houses. Now we rarely see each other. So Jana and I will just have to catch up today and enjoy the time that we have.

A blessed Christmas

2008-12-26T09:02:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had a blessed Christmas. Our family had a wonderful day together. Christmas Eve I went and spent time at church with others at 11:00. We sang some carols and had communion together. It was a nice time. Pastor Carey was asking when our favorite Christmas was.

I would have to say that my favorite Christmas was in 2004. It was Kimmie's 1st Christmas. We were living in Republic and our whole world had changed. We now had a baby and we were living in a town where the only people we knew were those from a lifestyle that we no longer lived. Money was tight and we really had nothing to do any shopping for gifts. Although I squeezed out a little to get a Teddy Bear for Kimmie's first Santa present. Our Christmas dinner was tacos, certainly nothing to get excited about. But I had everything I could have ever asked for.

I had a warm home, food to eat, and the most wonderful gift I could have ever received. On Christmas morning when my sweet girl woke up and I went in her room to get her out of bed. I said "Merry Christmas Beautiful" and her response was her beautiful smile. What better gift could a new mom receive.

That's my favorite Christmas and not because I got some wonderful gift that my husband bought at the store or because we had this amazing meal but because it was my most blessed.

I would love to hear about your best Christmas.

Siesta Ornament Exchange

2008-12-24T11:15:00.000-08:00

I recently joined an ornament exchange over at Siesta Fiesta Blog. I was so excited to get the mail today and find a wonderful package from Lavonda in Georgia. She sent this beautiful glass ball with a red ribbon and a red "L" on it. She also sent a gorgeous sand dollar ornament with the legend of the Sand Dollar on the package. It has been years since I read that legend. It was nice to refresh my memory of it again.

She also sent some lovely postcards of Georgia, I would love to go there someday. And a great little nativity craft project for Kimmie and I to do together.

Thank you Lavonda I love the ornaments and have really enjoyed getting to know a new friend.

A New Favorite Song

2008-12-24T00:02:00.000-08:00

On Sunday mornings when I get to church they have this video playing of JesusCulture in concert. This song plays every Sunday and I am absolutely in love with it and the group. I love Kim Walker's voice and her energy. I am definately in the market for more of their stuff.

2009 Calender

2008-12-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

Every year I make a new calendar for Kimmie's Grandmas for Christmas. I usually take each month and put in my favorite picture from that month. This year I really had a struggle getting my creativity flowing so thanks to the help of my wonderfully creative friend we got it done. Actually I have to admit that she did most of it and I am so grateful to her for it.

Oh the weather outside is frightful......

2008-12-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

We got a bit of snow last week and then the temps dropped again to those dreaded subzeros with those bone chilling winds. So now we have drifts of snow blowing everywhere.

We were watching that movie The Day After Tomorrow last week and I was thinking how badly that would suck. Larry commented that you would get used to it if an ice age hit us. I really don't think so. I really don't think that I would ever "get used to the cold" if there seemed to be no end to it. I'm quite partial to Summer and the hot weather.

Today I also have to get my last package out in the mail for Christmas. I'll have to do that at lunch. I need to get one more roll of wrapping paper to wrap the things that will be from Santa. I normally wouldn't wrap Santa gifts but Kim informed me that he wraps all the little stuff that isn't to big to wrap. Not sure where she got that but I guess I can go with it.

She did it.

2008-12-21T12:36:00.000-08:00

This morning I got up and got ready for church. Kim said she wasn't going with me so I didn't bother trying to get her to get dressed. I was getting ready to leave and I asked our nephew (who spent the weekend with us) if he would like to go with me. He said he would and suddenly Kim wanted to go. She said she would go but she was just watching the program. Fine with me.

We got to church and settled in our seats, Pastor Carey came over to say good morning and asked if Kim was going to be part of the program and to my suprise she said YES. So we hurried down stairs to her classroom where she got her angel costume on with the rest of her class.

She did it. She sang her song and did everything she was supposed to do and had fun. I was so proud of her. Unfortunately I didn't take my camera with me because I didn't expect her to do it. So no pictures to share but atleast I have the memory of it.

Tonight she's supposed to go spend the night at my mom's and make ginger bread houses with her cousin and my Grandma. So I'm going to take advantage of the free evening to get the household chores caught up and the rest of my wrapping finished up.

Only 2 more days of work and then I get a 12 day vacation. I'm so looking forward to sleeping in on Wednesday and spending the day kicking back watching movies, baking Santa cookies and going to the library for story hour. We will have a friend of Kimmie's over for the day as both her mom and dad have to work and they needed somewhere for her to go, so that will be nice.

Well atleast the day wasn't a total loss

2008-12-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

We got up this morning and we were supposed to go to dress rehearsal for the Christmas program. Kim was all for going and being an angel until she got out of the shower. Then I had to do some bribing and begging to get her to go. We got to the church and then she decided that she wanted nothing to do with it again. Not only did she not want to be in the program she didn't want to behave either. So we left and came home. I'm so disappointed in her. In her behavior and that she is refusing to be part of the program.

So I needed a break from her and my sister wanted to take the kids to get pics with Santa today. I told her that it was probably a lost cause but if she wanted to try to go ahead. So off they went. She took my mom with her to help with the kids and they got dressed up at the mall.

They were gone for a while when I got a phone call. Much to our suprise Kim jumped right up on Santa's lap and happily told him what she wanted for Christmas....A Cinderella Polly Pocket...and they took the picture. It's not the most perfect picture but getting 3 kids to sit, smile and look at the camera all at the same time is most impossible.

So I guess the day wasn't a complete loss. We'll just have to see how things go tomorrow. Maybe she'll be part of the program but I'm not holding my breath on it.

Our First Official Snow Day

2008-12-18T06:13:00.000-08:00

It started snowing here yesterday afternoon and hasn't stopped yet. If there's not a foot of new snow out there it's darn close to it. So school is closed and we are taking our FIRST official snow day. So I'm letting Kim sleep, she'll be excited when she wakes up.

Today is my day off and it lost it's zest for being a "ME" day since Larry is home sick. So we're having a family snow day.

So the plan for the day is now to shovel the drive way (for the 3rd time since yesterday), then head in for my hair appointment. Then if we can make it out we need to head to Walmart and pick up a few gifts that Kim needs to pick out. Then practice at church for the Christmas Program this afternoon.

We also need to get new snow boots. I've been needing to go get her some but I hadn't had the chance to take her with me. And I'm not buying shoes for that kid without her being there to pick them out and try them on. We have enough shoe battles with the ones she has picked I'm certainly not picking for her myself.

Count Down to a much needed break

2008-12-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

I've had a count down to Christmas break now for over a month and it's finally almost here. I have tomorrow off then work on Friday, then work Monday and Tuesday. Starting Wednesday I have 12 days off. I'm so excited. The company I work for opts to take Christmas Break off instead of having a holiday party. We would all so much rather have the vacation then a party. And we all look so forward to it. So Wednesday Kimmie and I are planning on sleeping in, making cookies for Santa and going to the library in the afternoon for story time. We may have a little friend come over and share the day with us because her daddy has to work. We'll throw in a few Christmas movies and just make a girls day of it. I can't wait.

Breaking through a wall

2008-12-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

For the past month and a half I have been struggling to get over a plateau and finally I broke through it. I was so excited to get on the scale and see another 2 pounds gone. After being stuck at 5 1/2 pounds for so long. It's only 2 pounds but it's still something. It's not coming off as fast as I would like it to but I guess the reality of it is that I didn't get this way over night I can't expect it to come off like that. So I'll take every little step in the right direction that I can get.

A wonderful gift

2008-12-15T19:11:00.000-08:00

I had a nice weekend even with it being SO DARNED COLD that you can't breath when you go out. I received a nice note in the mail from Pastor Carey. It really made my day just to know she was thinking about me.

Then Sunday I went to church (by myself again as Kimmie decided to stay home) and before the services started Pastor Carey gave me a new Bible. She said it was one that they had handed out at the beginning of the year to everyone and she thought I should have it. It's a One Year Bible. Divided up so that the entire Bible can be read in 15 minutes sections each day in one year.

I was very excited about it because though I know the basic stories in the Bible I have been feeling this desire to know more. But at the same time reading the entire Bible seems so daunting and where to start. So now with it being so unbelievably cold out I have something to curl up with a warm blanket and read.

Do you know how to track Santa's trip on Christmas Eve?

2008-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

I do. I'm really excited to share this with Kim this year. She's really excited abotu Santa coming this year. She even told me all about her plans to hide in the corner behind the tree so she could see him. When I told her that he would know she wasn't sleeping and wouldn't come she informed me that he wouldn't even know she was there.

So if your kiddo's are excited about Santa's visit this year then they are sure to be excited about watching his trip progress around the world till he gets to your house. Just go to this link to Track Santa.

Dealing with a bully

2008-12-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

It breaks my heart to think that at 4 I have already had to have the talk with Kimmie about how to deal with a bully. But I did this morning. There is a little boy in her class at school who is farely new to the class. Every day when I pick her up she tells me about how he hit her or pushed her or pulled her hair. Wednesday when I picked her up from school he hit her and she was upset about it I told her to tell her teacher (thinking that she would do something about it). All she said was "Tell Kimmie you're sorry". Last night in the middle of her program he hit her in the forhead. Ruining her show in the middle of it for herself. I sat down with her this morning and talked to her about it. I'm just furious that this little boy is bullying my sweet girl and nothing is being done about it, really. Obviously "tell Kimmie you're sorry" isn't working to get him to leave her alone. So I told her that it's not ok to fight with someone or to hit them just to be mean BUT and I mean that as a big BUT if he doesn't leave her alone she has every right to defend herself and if she feels like she needs to punch the little punk in the nose then she better do it. I told her that I'm sure she'll probably get in trouble with her teacher but she won't be in trouble with me because he has it coming. Today when I pick her up I'm going to have to tell her teacher about our talk. I do want her to have fair warning that Kimmie may take it upon herself to tromp that little brats butt if he doesn't leave her alone. I do hope that she doesn't have to resort to that but if it comes down to it he may need it. I would hate for him to think that it's ok to treat others like that and in preschool he certainly shouldn't be getting away with it. That's just setting him up for more trouble later and more kids to be hurt by him as well.

The Big Story

2008-12-11T21:07:00.001-08:00

Tonight was my little girl's first Christmas program. The performed "The Big Story". The whole school was involved. That sounds like it was a BIG production but really there is only 35 kids in her school. I had a battery panic attack before the show started. I took one picture of her and the battery light flashed on my camera. I had to make a 911 call to my sister who was on her way to stop and grab a package fore me. We had a few melt downs prior to the performance starting but once the kids filed in and got on stage she settled in and did great. She was really focused on that microphone. In the end she was very tired and very ready to go home but she did great. I am so proud of her and was so excited for her. It was a great night and we topped it off with dinner at McDonald's and then story time at home.

Update to my day yesterday

2008-12-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

I got up and took Kim to school. I really should have went to Curves but I wanted to get started on my projects. I got almost everything I wanted to get done done before noon. My friend came over and we had a nice visit with some lunch together. Then I went and picked Kim up from school. We had a nice couple of hours to ourselves. We went to the library and then came home to some hot cocoa and nice quiet time together. I love when we get time at home and it's just us girls. Then Larry came home and the day wound down. I did get some time in last night to work on my calendar. I think it's done but I'm sure I'll end up tweeking a few things on it before I get it printed next week.

Now it's back to work today. Just 9 more work days till Christmas break. That's going to be a wonderful 2 weeks.

A day to myself

2008-12-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

Today I will be having a day to myself for the first time in almost 5 years. Things at work have slowed down so I am taking a day off a week. Larry will be at work and Kim at school so I will be totally alone. If I didn't have so much to do still to get ready for Christmas I think I would be lost.

My plan is to drop Kim off at school and get my work out in at Curves. Then I will be coming back home, cranking up the music and tackling house. I have already moved through her room and the computer room in the past couple of evenings. So on to the rest of the house. I'm going through everything/ Closets, dressers, storage.......everything. I always think this is a good time of year to do such things. Get rid of the old before bringing in the new.

I usually have a lunch date with a friend on Tuesdays so I invited her over to my house for lunch. I'll have to make us up something yummy. I think a nice turkey sandwich and some pasta salad.

If I can get through my house this morning then I'll have a few hours this afternoon to work on my calendar for 2009. I put together a calendar every year of pictures of Kim for my mom and a few others as Chrismas gift. This year however I haven't felt very creative and have only been able to get 1 page done myself. Thankfully I have a wonderfully creative friend who has been kind enough to help me out with it. She's gotten almost the entire calendar finished for me. I have one more month to get together.

A friend asked me why I don't take the day and be lazy but I think instead I'll take advantage of the time to get ready for Christmas. Then I'll be able to spend some days by myself soaking in a hot tub with a good book.

Public Humiliation as Punishment

2008-12-08T21:44:00.000-08:00

This morning I was on my way to the office and I past a young man standing on the corner. He was probably about 12 and was wearing a sandwich board sign that read "I'm a liar, a theif and a bully and I don't care about anyone but myself." I was shocked to say the least. And I found myself thinking about it all day.

I wonder what it was that this young man did to get himself into trouble? And did his parents try other means of punishment and this what they felt they had to resort to?

I have to admit that my first thought was "Oh my who would do that to their child?" and then I had to thought "whatever he did I bet he won't do that again".

You have to wonder though if that would really work or if this young man was already calloused enough that it wouldn't matter. Kids now days can be like that. And it makes me sad. They have formed the opinion of "so what are you going to do about it, huh". Parents have offered no real consequenses for the child's actions. Is that the case with this young man? Did they not discipline him until now and this was the form of punishment they chose? I guess I'll never really know the thoughts and reasonings.

What do you think? Do you think that form of punishment would be ok?

Ever get a song in your head?

2008-12-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

For over a month now I've had this song in my head. Thankfully it's not one that I'm going to complain about. I wake up hearing it and go to sleep hearing it. I sing it at the top of my lungs when I'm alone in the car. But for over a month now there it is every day. I remember singing it during worship service at CLC when I was a kid.

So here it is so it can get stuck in your head too. It's really not a bad thing when you wake up and go to sleep Praising HIM.

A Baby Changes Everything

2008-12-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today Kim decided she wanted to stay home and spend the morning with her dad instead of going to church with me. When I got home they were gone. They'd made a trip to the transfer station to get rid of some garbage that wouldn't fit in the can and then went for a little drive. So I came in and turned on the music station (such a nice break from NOGGIN) and started to clean up a bit. This new Faith Hill video came on and I had to stop and sit to hear it. I then went straight to You Tube to see if I could find it and listen again.

What a beautiful and powerfully moving song. The last verse says "My whole life has turned around...Once was lost but now I'm found...A baby everything.." There are no truer words the those in my life.

So if you haven't heard it yet here is it and even if you have enjoy it again.

Birthday Parties

2008-12-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

My little girl seems to be a very popular kid. I think she's invited to a party atleast once a month. Last night she went to her friend E's party. They are friends from Kim's old daycare and have said they were best friends since they were 2 and could talk good. They are so funny together. It makes me a little sad that they don't get to see each other very often since we changed Kim's daycare and schools.

So this was the 2nd party that I've just dropped her off at. She's so excited about me leaving her at a party to be by herself. And suprisingly when it's time to go home and I get there to pick her up she's happy to leave too. No battles about her wanting to stay longer. I think she's enjoying her new found freedom as well. She actually thanked me for leaving her at the party by herself.

I guess the new indepences is always a little bittersweet. I love that I'm getting back more time for myself but it's also a little sad that she doesn't need me so much anymore. I'm sure that every other mom I know feels the same way.

Did Mary Know?

2008-12-06T21:49:00.001-08:00

I was in the car this evening on my way to pick Kim up from a birthday party and on the radio they were talking to the man who wrote the Christmas song "Mary did you know?" I love that song. I could listen to it over and over (and I have even when it's not Christmas time). They asked him where he got the idea for the song and his answer was that when he was a child his mother said something to him about wondering if Mary knew all the amazing things that her son would do. Walking on the water, raising the dead, giving site to the blind, etc....

We know that she knew he would be the savior of man but did she really know all the wonder and amazing things he would do? We all as mothers have dreams and wonder what our children will become. She knew her son was the Son of God and was our Savior. What kind of dreams could she have had for her child with that kind of knowledge?

So here I wanted to share this song with you. I love the version that Kenny Rogers and Wynona Judd does the best.

Relay Bake Sale

2008-12-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

We had a bake sale today to kick off our fundraising for 2009 Relay for Life. We set up a table in front of Indelible Tidbits. We had cookies, breads and jars of cookie mixes. Everything looked very yummy. We asked people to just make the donation that they felt was good for them to give. The weather wasn't bad. It was cold out but atleast it wasn't raining. We were there till 3:00 and we made $80. I think that's a pretty good start for our fundraising.

Baking for Relay

2008-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Last night I spent the evening baking away. Chocholate chip and Peanut Butter Cookies, Russian Tea Cakes, Banana Bread and Lemon Almond Biscotti. I even packaged them up on nice little trays. Boy did I get ambitious or what. I really should have had it all done last weekend when I had 4 days to get it done. But no not me. I seem to be the queen of procrastination lately. But it's all done.

So this afternoon my sister, myself and hopefully some others from our Relay for Life team are going to set up a table on the side walk with holiday goodies and hot cocoa and spiced cider. It's Yulitide festival in town this weekend so hopefully we'll get lots of traffic and sell our our goodies.

This is our first fundraiser for the 2009 Relay and we are hoping it goes well. 2008 our team raised a little over $2000 and I think we can do better then that. My hope for our team is to double that. So if you're in Wallace this weekend stop by and grab a cup of something hot to warm up with and a tasty treat to enjoy and you walk about town and enjoy the holiday festivities.

My Favorite Christmas Movie

2008-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

This time of year I am truly a kid at heart. I love all the old movies that are on every year. I get excited about sitting down and watching the same shows that were on when I was a kid and now I get to share them with my own. Rudolph, Frosty, Santa's Coming to town. But my all time favorite will always be A Christmas Story. My family laughs at me because I watch it every year. Over and Over. It's not unusual for it to be on ALL DAY on Christmas Eve when they have the Marathon of it for 24 hours on TV.

I'm can't imagine that growing up there wasn't something or some family in your childhood that isn't represented in this movie. I just love the Bupkiss hounds, the Red Rider BB gun, the deranged Easter Bunny costume. And who could ever forget the Chinese turkey and the major award in the form of an elicit leg lamp. And of course what kid wasn't involved in some way or another in a dare to stick a tongue to the flag pole. We all know someone that did it....at least once.

I even bought my self a copy of it DVD just in case there comes a year that it's not on. I don't want to be caught without a chance to enjoy that movie come Christmas Eve.

Christmas Traditions

2008-12-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

I was reading today about some peoples Christmas Traditions and it got me thinking about some of ours. Every year as a kid we got new pajamas and we got to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Funny that gift was always those new pajamas. My Mom said it was so that we looked decent in the morning for our "opening presents photos". I have carried on that same tradition with Kim. She gets new Christmas jammies and I have added a new book to the tradition.

The book started with her first Christmas. We were in Republic and I was really having a hard time. Being away from home with a new baby and not knowing anyone. So minister for the church lived behind us and she invited me to Christmas Eve service. So I took Kim and enjoyed the service. For the service they read a wonderful story called the Christmas Bell. It's a great little story about a little girl who finds a silver bell and decides to give it to baby Jesus. After the service was over and we were heading out the door Pastor Barb handed me the book. Now every year since I have picked up a new book for Kim that's not about Santa and presents but instead about the real reason for Christmas and God's love.

So far we've gotten

Mary's First Christmas
The Tale of Three Trees
Room for a Little One
God Gave us Christmas

and this year we are getting Alabaster's Song.

I love being able to sit back and read these wonderful stories with her. And doing it every year makes it even more special.

So what are some traditions that your family enjoys every year? I would love to hear about them

Amazing Grace

2008-12-02T06:33:00.000-08:00

I got the pleasure of hearing this at work yesterday and wanted to share it with you. So turn up the volume on your speakers and sit back and enjoy. All I could say was WOW! What do you think?

My sweet little girl

2008-12-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

I'm in such awe at the tenderness caring my sweet little girl shares with the world. My Grandma was telling me yesterday after church about a moment last week when that sweet little 4 year old offered to share what she had with her. My Grandmother has arthritis and has been having some trouble with a knee bothering her. So she went to the doctor and was given a couple of different prescriptions. One of them was for this new "athletic" tape that has some medicine on it. Must be some kind of anti-inflamatory. When she went to fill the prescriptions the pharmicist told her that the tape would be over $200. Well of course she said "No thank you" she didn't have that kind of money to fill that one. My darling little girl over heard the conversation and pulled a $1 she had been saving in her pocket to get herself a treat and handed it to my Grandma saying "Here Grandma you can have my money so you can get your medicine."

It really made my heart swell to know that this sweet little girl who had her heart set on spending her money on something she wanted was willing to give it to make sure that someone else got what they needed. One of the things that I have always felt was important for her to learn is that no matter how much or how little we have there is always someone out there who has less. And we help those in need with what we can. It's nice to know that those lessons are getting in there. Of course my Grandma didn't get that prescription filled but it made her proud to know that her Great Granddaughter was willing to give what she could. I will say it over and over I just love that little angel and I thank God everyday for the blessing and opportunity he gave me when he chose me to be her Momma.

I love this time of year

2008-11-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year. The magic and wonder of the Holidays has always got me excited. And now seeing it all through the eyes of my little girl makes it even more magical. She's 4 this year and really understanding what's happening this time of the year. This time a year is also very busy. I'm sure it is for everyone. December for us will be crammed full with 2 Christmas programs and the rehearsals that go with both, caroling with our church, a family holiday outing to see the lights on the lake, finishing up our gift shopping and baking lots of holiday treats. All things that I'm very excited to share with my little girl.

Holiday Meal Must Haves

2008-11-28T21:12:00.000-08:00

I was reading over at Siesta Fiesta Blog and they were sharing some Thankgiving recipes. It got me wondering what are some must haves that other people share with their families. Normally with our Holiday meals I do all the cooking. Everyone comes to our house and we share the day. But there are a few things that no matter what else is on the menu have to be made. Like Mom's Pea Salad and Pecan Candied Sweet Potatoes. This year we spent the day with Larry's family so I didn't cook but I still had to write down the recipes for those family favorites for my sister to make.

***********
Mom's Pea Salad

1 head of iceberg lettuce
1 can petit peas, drained
2 cans tuna, drain
1 bunch green onions, diced
miracle whip

Tear lettuce into bite sized pieces, stir together with peas, tuna and grean onions. Stir in miracle whip, just enough to coat salad. Not to much, it will get goopy and that's not good.

**********
Pecan Candied Sweet Pototoes

Peal and cut up sweet potatoes. Place in baking dish. Cube 1/2 stick of butter and scatter over the top of the potatoes. Sprinkly with brown sugar and a hand full of chopped pecans.

Bake at 350 till tender.

As you can tell I don't really cook with real recipes. A little of this and a little of that. Atleast with the old family favorites that don't technically have a recipe card to follow.

So what are some family favorites that you have to have every year?

Black Friday

2008-11-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

I went shopping this morning for my first ever Black Friday. The darn cat woke me up at 4:15 so I went ahead and got up and headed to Walmart. My niece was the 2nd person in line (she'd been there since 4) so I snuck in with her. The line was already to the other end of the building.

I got in, got a cart and checked my list. I headed to the other side of the store out of the path of the crowd that was behind me. I got everything on my list and was out of there and back home by 6:30.

I was able to pick up playdoh, mega blocks, clothes for Kim, movies and a ton more and only spent $150. I only have 3 more things that I need to get and I'm done.

So now I have a trunk full of stuff that I need to bring in and wrap when Kim is in bed. May be a few days before I can get to that. I am planning to take Kim to the tree of sharing after church on Sunday. I want her to know that Christmas isn't all about what she's getting. But more what we can do for others who are less fortunate.

Being Thankful

2008-11-27T22:23:00.000-08:00

Today was definately one of those days that reminds me of all I have to be thankful for. A husband who loves me and our little girl with everything and provides for us all we need, my sweet girl who can be a handful but is the most precious thing I could have ever asked for, a comfortable home, food to keep us from being hungry and most importantly a God who gave me so much and loves me no matter what.

We had dinner today with family that I haven't spoken to in quite some time. I wasn't suprised to see that most things haven't changed. And seeing some of what I saw today with family definately made me think how lucky I am. And reminded me again why I don't spend much time with them. I could really say a lot about the whole subject but it's probably best not to air it all here for the world to see. So instead I will thank God for all I have and pray for those who have less and need his love so much more then anything else.

Taking a Financial Leap of Faith

2008-11-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

So I've been thinking that my News Years resolution was going to be to get out of debt before the end of the year. And being that I still have almost 3 years of payments on my car that's a big deal. Many places in the Bible it says that you should not borrow or owe anything. I think my favorite scripture on the subject though is

Romans 13:8
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Anyway, I had been thinking that I would get through December and Christmas and then I would start really knuckling down on our budget and start tithing (for the first time). Well this week I have been clearly hearing God say "No you'll start now". So in my desire to become more obedient to God I'm taking a huge leap of Faith and stepping out of my comfort zone just as Pastor Carey said yesterday. Wednesday is payday and I will be writing my first tithing check. Of course that is money that I could put towards something else but I am putting everything in God's hands and trusting that he will provide what we need.