Showing posts with label Family News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family News. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Let's get this show on the road already!
A sister calls from Mexico and we chat about guest lists and food and party games. Our youngest sister is getting married in 36 days. We have a shower to plan.
Time marches on with things to do and celebrations and friends, new things and old things, fresh starts and old routines.
And yet I feel the same as I'm sure my engaged sister feels; on a sort of anxious hold, excited to get started already and find out what my new life will look like.
After a rather difficult year, our family prayed, considered priorities, weighed options, researched and one thing led to another (with enough light for each step ahead ) and here we are starting an in-home daycare.
This is not something I dreamed about or ever even really considered until recently, but here we are. God's plans are not ours, but we can take ownership when he makes the way clear. Robb moved his realty office home, and amidst some small amount of friendly scorn and doubtful looks, we have plunged ahead in the process.
My kitchen has never been cleaner!
We consider this a family endeavor.
The kitchen cleaning is Robb's chosen responsibility, however.
We've never spend this much time together as a family, but we are adjusting!
Robb comes to this new venture with years of watching his mom run a successful daycare, and he's excited to come to a whole new understanding of what homeschooling looks like on a day to day basis. My homeschooling experience will now be applied to preschoolers as we create a fun curriculum of crafts, lessons, music and more.
Our license is about to come in the mail, homeschooling routines and detailed schedules are ready, lockers stand in the entry awaiting little coats and boots, and new toys are organized as we await the additions to our home and hearts.
Time marches on with things to do and celebrations and friends, new things and old things, fresh starts and old routines.
And yet I feel the same as I'm sure my engaged sister feels; on a sort of anxious hold, excited to get started already and find out what my new life will look like.
After a rather difficult year, our family prayed, considered priorities, weighed options, researched and one thing led to another (with enough light for each step ahead ) and here we are starting an in-home daycare.
This is not something I dreamed about or ever even really considered until recently, but here we are. God's plans are not ours, but we can take ownership when he makes the way clear. Robb moved his realty office home, and amidst some small amount of friendly scorn and doubtful looks, we have plunged ahead in the process.
My kitchen has never been cleaner!
We consider this a family endeavor.
The kitchen cleaning is Robb's chosen responsibility, however.
We've never spend this much time together as a family, but we are adjusting!
Robb comes to this new venture with years of watching his mom run a successful daycare, and he's excited to come to a whole new understanding of what homeschooling looks like on a day to day basis. My homeschooling experience will now be applied to preschoolers as we create a fun curriculum of crafts, lessons, music and more.
Our license is about to come in the mail, homeschooling routines and detailed schedules are ready, lockers stand in the entry awaiting little coats and boots, and new toys are organized as we await the additions to our home and hearts.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Random hello
This picture is to prove that, yes, I am alive and well. Mostly. ha.
I still have a smile on my face.
Writing has taken a back burner to child care (of my own and extras) planning, gardening, paperwork. CPR training. And more paperwork.
With an occasional trip to the local pool thrown in.
Summer is half over. Sob. But it's supposed to reach nearly !00* this week again, and we plan to cram as much summer into summer as we can!
Last night, as I crawled into bed and Robb reached for me, I asked him why he loves me. He sleepily mumbled, "Because you didn't run me over with the boat."
Bahahaha! My laughter burst out into the sleepy quiet of our house. Funny guy. I love him.
There was a day when the boat accident was no laughing matter. It's curious how with enough years, times of pain can become the brunt of jokes, and how one light heart can ease the burdens of another.
Laughter is great stress relief, have you learned it's power?
Psalm 126:2
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
Monday, May 2, 2011
Surfing the Waves
I didn't want to brag, so I've not posted or said a thing (here, at least) about our recent vacation. We've been home a month now, spring has yet to come, and I'm tempted to forget how blessed I am.
We went to Mexico for a week. And we didn't have to pay for it. You'd think the gratefulness would carry me through for a while.
The waves have come, we're storm tossed, sucked under, sand worn, and I've complained about the waves that pull at my anchor.
I've forgotten that waves are meant to be surfed.
Gratefulness can carry me to shore.
Today's List:
Planning a book club on One Thousand Gifts. I can't wait to share it with my real life community!
Relaxed Sunday
Vintage gloves and shoes
Little girls having tea in gloves and dresses and shoes
YouTube (Do I really need my own channel? I say yes. :) )
Dance recital
Formal wear
Growing up girls
Little girls who worship and pray together
An agreeable committee
Walking with friends
New hobby for Mitchell
Unexpected Bible Quizzing awards (Megan's team got 1st and Mitchell placed 15th individually.)
Gifts we don't deserve
Justice
Hope
And love that never fails.
Linking with friends who count here.
Friday, March 18, 2011
FB Friday
Soooo, I've been MIA here, but you're getting used to that, right?
Here's a recap pf what I've been doing in my real life straight from Facebook:
Is afraid. I packed my retreat bag while on the phone.
A couple weekend ago, our church had a ladies retreat, so, not one to turn down a social event, I went. Thankfully I didn't forget anything important! It was great. Speaker great. Company super. Conversation meaningful. Food not so nice. I said some rather rude things about the grub. And then at the end of our time there I found out that the cook was brand new. Sigh. When will I ever learn to show a little compassion, grace? Even for bad camp cooks.
Best LRC retreat yet. Even with the individual cups of canned peaches.
Oh my goodness and praise Jesus! I think I finally fixed my computer! I played a video and did not get the blue screen of death! Yay! Yes, I fixed it. At least that problem, I did. Then my beloved machine began freezing every time I used MS Office. Tired of computer problems. One problem solved, another springs up. My eyes are crossing. Off to bed. Sigh.
Praying for a friend who's having kidney cancer surgery today. The report is that his lymph nodes were negative, and my friend's dad is doing great! A great answer to prayer!
Battle of wills with Madison over school today. I won. The end. Seriously, this girl is showing her baby of the family colors, and I need to gear up every morning and remind myself that sometimes family peace needs to be sacrificed temporarily for some character development. It's not pretty presently, but I trust it shall end beautifully.
Madison's sick, but she's quiet and sweet, so it's not all bad. Today, school shall be, in large part, documentaries. Again, not bad. This was a lovely break from the aforementioned debacle.
Irreducible complexity. What Mitchell learned in school today. The result of documentaries about the evidence that supports creation. Yes, there is evidence. But you can research that yourself.
Incubating yogurt tonight. Yes, I did. I still need to work on my methods, but hope to perfect my process. Yum. 21 comments on this status, so I have lots of advisers!
Sometimes you just have to make a spreadsheet of all the homeschool stuff you've done so far in the year. Yes, I do. And now I feel better, thank you for asking.
Was crabby til I talked to my sister. She's pregnant & has a 1 yr old. So my life's not so bad. :) What ensued was a conversation about my mother's bedrest when Sara and I were teens and whether or not we were helpful in any way to her. I stated that was when I learned to cook Sara maintains we were not good helpers. I insist that is only because she did not change any diapers. Love you sis. Even if I had to change all our sisters' diapers (and by all I mean mostly all when we were babysitting)!
The other day we had a couple friends over and En-Gedi held only twins. We could interrupt, finish each others sentences and talk over each other and no one thought we were rude. :) 1.If I ever interrupt you, now you know why. 2.I don't understand singly born people. 3.Talking over each other is so much more effective. 4.More can be said in a shorter amount of time. 5.It's a really good thing I married a twin.
Huh. My husband just joined foursquare. That's the first social media site that he's joined before me. Way to be a leader, honey! Robb went to a social media class for Realtors and this is what happened. This could be dangerous.
Forcing myself to get on the elliptical. And I did. Am I skinny yet? Yes, yes. I am skinnyish already. But I don't want to be like that ad with the supermodel on the red carpet that dies of a heart attack, you know?
My baby of the family showing her true colors needs to be put to bed. Again.
So. I. Must. Go.
See that face? It speaks for itself.
Forget editing this post.
For the love of all children with good character!
Happy weekend!
Here's a recap pf what I've been doing in my real life straight from Facebook:
Is afraid. I packed my retreat bag while on the phone.
A couple weekend ago, our church had a ladies retreat, so, not one to turn down a social event, I went. Thankfully I didn't forget anything important! It was great. Speaker great. Company super. Conversation meaningful. Food not so nice. I said some rather rude things about the grub. And then at the end of our time there I found out that the cook was brand new. Sigh. When will I ever learn to show a little compassion, grace? Even for bad camp cooks.
Best LRC retreat yet. Even with the individual cups of canned peaches.
Oh my goodness and praise Jesus! I think I finally fixed my computer! I played a video and did not get the blue screen of death! Yay! Yes, I fixed it. At least that problem, I did. Then my beloved machine began freezing every time I used MS Office. Tired of computer problems. One problem solved, another springs up. My eyes are crossing. Off to bed. Sigh.
Praying for a friend who's having kidney cancer surgery today. The report is that his lymph nodes were negative, and my friend's dad is doing great! A great answer to prayer!
Battle of wills with Madison over school today. I won. The end. Seriously, this girl is showing her baby of the family colors, and I need to gear up every morning and remind myself that sometimes family peace needs to be sacrificed temporarily for some character development. It's not pretty presently, but I trust it shall end beautifully.
Madison's sick, but she's quiet and sweet, so it's not all bad. Today, school shall be, in large part, documentaries. Again, not bad. This was a lovely break from the aforementioned debacle.
Irreducible complexity. What Mitchell learned in school today. The result of documentaries about the evidence that supports creation. Yes, there is evidence. But you can research that yourself.
Incubating yogurt tonight. Yes, I did. I still need to work on my methods, but hope to perfect my process. Yum. 21 comments on this status, so I have lots of advisers!
Sometimes you just have to make a spreadsheet of all the homeschool stuff you've done so far in the year. Yes, I do. And now I feel better, thank you for asking.
Was crabby til I talked to my sister. She's pregnant & has a 1 yr old. So my life's not so bad. :) What ensued was a conversation about my mother's bedrest when Sara and I were teens and whether or not we were helpful in any way to her. I stated that was when I learned to cook Sara maintains we were not good helpers. I insist that is only because she did not change any diapers. Love you sis. Even if I had to change all our sisters' diapers (and by all I mean mostly all when we were babysitting)!
The other day we had a couple friends over and En-Gedi held only twins. We could interrupt, finish each others sentences and talk over each other and no one thought we were rude. :) 1.If I ever interrupt you, now you know why. 2.I don't understand singly born people. 3.Talking over each other is so much more effective. 4.More can be said in a shorter amount of time. 5.It's a really good thing I married a twin.
Huh. My husband just joined foursquare. That's the first social media site that he's joined before me. Way to be a leader, honey! Robb went to a social media class for Realtors and this is what happened. This could be dangerous.
Forcing myself to get on the elliptical. And I did. Am I skinny yet? Yes, yes. I am skinnyish already. But I don't want to be like that ad with the supermodel on the red carpet that dies of a heart attack, you know?
My baby of the family showing her true colors needs to be put to bed. Again.
So. I. Must. Go.
See that face? It speaks for itself.
Forget editing this post.
For the love of all children with good character!
Happy weekend!
Friday, March 4, 2011
FB Friday
So, the week flew by here, did it for you?
Here it is my second week of FB Friday... I think I 'm going to like this weekly review. :)
On Sunday, Megan and I went shopping, which rarely occurs, but alas, she needed new jeans and the patches weren't holding up. So away we went. Mitchell went to a friend's house and Robb headed home for a quiet afternoon with Madison. You can ask him if it was really quiet. HA!
Later that evening, I asked Mitchell about his time with his friend.
Mitchell, you didn't flirt w ur friend's sisters today, did u? No, I just stared @ them. Oh, why? I say. He laughs. Because they're girls.
Innocent as all get out, that boy is, but he's still a boy! He is nearing twelve, and though he's not interested in girls in that way just yet, and flirting for him is a silly giggle and pre-teen craziness, he is beginning to find them fascinating at least. I'm not so sure the girls find him fascinating.
More from Mitchell. He's just full of it, lately. What it is, I'm not sure.
Mitchell: "I had a dream last night that I was @ Walmart and it took me 3 hrs to find the webkinz." Yep, sounds like a kid's worst nightmare.
Speaks for itself, really. My kids are addicted to Webkinz. It's what they spend their money and extra time on. We're reigning in screen time, for many reasons, but mostly because I'm tired of my desk being taken over by toys, kid papers, crumbs and whatever else they deem necessary while sitting in my chair playing on my computer. (How's one to blog when my office has been overtaken? Honestly!)
When we first moved to the farm, our only internet option was satellite. It's slow. When rain comes, it doesn't work. It stinks. We tried internet with our phone service, and we thought it would be the answer, but that was problematic, and limited, so we canceled the service, losing money on what turned out to be a failed experiment. But......
We may *crosses fingers* have finally found a solution to our internet difficulties. :) I've forgotten how high speed high speed can be. I hope to soon remember.
A technician comes today to install our new internet service. Praying incessantly that this solution works. Seriously!
related:
Some device driver on my desktop keeps crashing it. Blerggggg. And on the day we hope to get faster internet. So. Technology conspires against me. It will not win.
As if our internet trouble weren't enough.... I did a system restore (Take that! also... Hold me!) and hope that solves my crashing issues. I'm tired of that blue screen. It doesn't match my decor.
Just picked a jelly bean up off the floor and ate it. yum.
There was some concern the morsel was from last year. People! Who do you think I am? I have standards, low as they are. A year-old jelly bean does not meet them. (It was from last week.)
I want to keep bees. And chickens. I am crazy.
This may explain my sudden desire to double my garden, raise foul fowl (Thank you, Molly), and risk anaphylactic shock (wow, that's hard to spell):
Watching Food Inc. followed by The Future of Food = research & shopping for organic foods. Did you know wheat bread has high fructose corn syrup in it? Mom, I'd like your wheat grinder now, thank you. :)
I promise our family will not turn into some weird homeschooling-granola-hippie-alarmist combo. I think. :)
Bottom line: we want to be healthy, and that is so much easier when both husband and wife have the same goals. Break out the dehydrator, grinder, yogurt maker, breadmaker, honey! And promise to help me weed the garden? Please? (Oh, yeah, that's why we have children! *wink*)
Remember this face? Those teeth. Oh my.
Then this:
And now: Ta daaaaa!
Retainer day. Hopefully we don't get stuck in the driveway like last week.
We made it. Without incident. The days of anyone (me{2x}, Robb{1x}, the UPS driver{1x, 30 minutes}, the bottled water delivery guy with bald tires{1x, then he avoided our place entirely} the propane truck {almost}) getting stuck are over. On some parts of the driveway, I can actually see dirt. I can only hope we've seen the worst of winter.
Her retainer is pink and sparkly. I spared you a picture.You can thank me now. Or later. Whichever.
Finally, something of substance to think about:
All who think people are good at their core need to stop being hypocrites and take the locks off all their doors.
I stole that from Mark Driscoll's FB page. You'll have to come to our house to see if we lock the doors or not. If I'm out, you are welcome to use my bathroom. Or outhouse. Whichever isn't locked. :)
Happy Friday!
Here it is my second week of FB Friday... I think I 'm going to like this weekly review. :)
On Sunday, Megan and I went shopping, which rarely occurs, but alas, she needed new jeans and the patches weren't holding up. So away we went. Mitchell went to a friend's house and Robb headed home for a quiet afternoon with Madison. You can ask him if it was really quiet. HA!
Later that evening, I asked Mitchell about his time with his friend.
Mitchell, you didn't flirt w ur friend's sisters today, did u? No, I just stared @ them. Oh, why? I say. He laughs. Because they're girls.
Innocent as all get out, that boy is, but he's still a boy! He is nearing twelve, and though he's not interested in girls in that way just yet, and flirting for him is a silly giggle and pre-teen craziness, he is beginning to find them fascinating at least. I'm not so sure the girls find him fascinating.
More from Mitchell. He's just full of it, lately. What it is, I'm not sure.
Mitchell: "I had a dream last night that I was @ Walmart and it took me 3 hrs to find the webkinz." Yep, sounds like a kid's worst nightmare.
Speaks for itself, really. My kids are addicted to Webkinz. It's what they spend their money and extra time on. We're reigning in screen time, for many reasons, but mostly because I'm tired of my desk being taken over by toys, kid papers, crumbs and whatever else they deem necessary while sitting in my chair playing on my computer. (How's one to blog when my office has been overtaken? Honestly!)
When we first moved to the farm, our only internet option was satellite. It's slow. When rain comes, it doesn't work. It stinks. We tried internet with our phone service, and we thought it would be the answer, but that was problematic, and limited, so we canceled the service, losing money on what turned out to be a failed experiment. But......
We may *crosses fingers* have finally found a solution to our internet difficulties. :) I've forgotten how high speed high speed can be. I hope to soon remember.
A technician comes today to install our new internet service. Praying incessantly that this solution works. Seriously!
related:
Some device driver on my desktop keeps crashing it. Blerggggg. And on the day we hope to get faster internet. So. Technology conspires against me. It will not win.
As if our internet trouble weren't enough.... I did a system restore (Take that! also... Hold me!) and hope that solves my crashing issues. I'm tired of that blue screen. It doesn't match my decor.
Just picked a jelly bean up off the floor and ate it. yum.
There was some concern the morsel was from last year. People! Who do you think I am? I have standards, low as they are. A year-old jelly bean does not meet them. (It was from last week.)
I want to keep bees. And chickens. I am crazy.
This may explain my sudden desire to double my garden, raise foul fowl (Thank you, Molly), and risk anaphylactic shock (wow, that's hard to spell):
Watching Food Inc. followed by The Future of Food = research & shopping for organic foods. Did you know wheat bread has high fructose corn syrup in it? Mom, I'd like your wheat grinder now, thank you. :)
I promise our family will not turn into some weird homeschooling-granola-hippie-alarmist combo. I think. :)
Bottom line: we want to be healthy, and that is so much easier when both husband and wife have the same goals. Break out the dehydrator, grinder, yogurt maker, breadmaker, honey! And promise to help me weed the garden? Please? (Oh, yeah, that's why we have children! *wink*)
Remember this face? Those teeth. Oh my.
Then this:
And now: Ta daaaaa!
Retainer day. Hopefully we don't get stuck in the driveway like last week.
We made it. Without incident. The days of anyone (me{2x}, Robb{1x}, the UPS driver{1x, 30 minutes}, the bottled water delivery guy with bald tires{1x, then he avoided our place entirely} the propane truck {almost}) getting stuck are over. On some parts of the driveway, I can actually see dirt. I can only hope we've seen the worst of winter.
Her retainer is pink and sparkly. I spared you a picture.You can thank me now. Or later. Whichever.
Finally, something of substance to think about:
All who think people are good at their core need to stop being hypocrites and take the locks off all their doors.
I stole that from Mark Driscoll's FB page. You'll have to come to our house to see if we lock the doors or not. If I'm out, you are welcome to use my bathroom. Or outhouse. Whichever isn't locked. :)
Happy Friday!
Friday, February 25, 2011
FB Friday
Welcome to FB Friday! The day that I review my week based on my FB status{es!}
Real bloggers have their FB pages as fan pages and this would be a duplication of information, but as I am lazy and confused and still haven't decided whether I ever want my real name freely available on this here blog, I have not given blog readers I don't know in real life full access to my personal FB page. Also, as interesting as craft projects and spiritual musings about fog are, they don't really tell you, or record for me, a lot about what we are up to in our daily goings about.
Commence weekly review, in all its wonderful sarcasm.
Sunday:
We had planned to visit a friend after church anyway and let our kids play while Robb and Linda did some paperwork, and since a huge snowstorm was forecast for the next day when the planned American Girl Doll themed birthday party was to take place, we invited one more friend to come along, picked up some things at the grocery and viola! a birthday party/work meeting/playdate/movie day!
The snow did come, fast and furious, and we just barely made in home in the pickup that evening.
There was only drift in our driveway and this was it. I was able to call the ortho, and postpone Megan's appt. Wouldn't want to miss her important date with the braces remover! Robb came to the rescue and switched vehicles, I dashed off with kids in tow and he stayed to dig my poor van out. What a nice guy!
Friday:
Poor cat.
Uffda! What a week!
Real bloggers have their FB pages as fan pages and this would be a duplication of information, but as I am lazy and confused and still haven't decided whether I ever want my real name freely available on this here blog, I have not given blog readers I don't know in real life full access to my personal FB page. Also, as interesting as craft projects and spiritual musings about fog are, they don't really tell you, or record for me, a lot about what we are up to in our daily goings about.
Commence weekly review, in all its wonderful sarcasm.
Sunday:
We preempted the snowstorm and had an impromptu birthday party for Megan yesterday after church. Not bad for not planned.
We had planned to visit a friend after church anyway and let our kids play while Robb and Linda did some paperwork, and since a huge snowstorm was forecast for the next day when the planned American Girl Doll themed birthday party was to take place, we invited one more friend to come along, picked up some things at the grocery and viola! a birthday party/work meeting/playdate/movie day!
The snow did come, fast and furious, and we just barely made in home in the pickup that evening.
Let me say it again: I love technology!
There was only drift in our driveway and this was it. I was able to call the ortho, and postpone Megan's appt. Wouldn't want to miss her important date with the braces remover! Robb came to the rescue and switched vehicles, I dashed off with kids in tow and he stayed to dig my poor van out. What a nice guy!
So, in other words, there was no good news. Megan has nothing to wear, and I can't do laundry. Cue wailing and gnashing of teeth. The Sears guy comes on Monday. But I haven't heard if a new part was ordered, so the laundry situation may not be resolved any time soon. Again: wailing and gnashing.
Wednesday was a day from H E double hockey sticks, at least on an American scale of all things considered reasonably normal....
Thinking about chalkboard paint. What do you think? {Pardon my lazy Photoshopping skills}
Friday:
As I type my children are baptizing the cat in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But first, they made sure he had Jesus in his heart.
Poor cat.
Uffda! What a week!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The View From Here
We can barely see the forms of trees near the barn against the white of the swirling snow and only one telephone pole on our 1/4 mile driveway is visible.
The house shudders with the force of the wind, but we are warm and cozy.
We have nowhere to go.
And we're happy about it.
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Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sweet Lovin' {Birthday} Sisters & Giveaway
We sat, couples facing each other in a pizza parlor booth. Twin across from twin and our hubbies likewise. After pizza and a shared chicken Caesar wrap, dessert arrived and with it our competitive habits. It's defend your quarter pie, no holds barred, do not slowly savor or turn your back, or we will eat your share for sure!
You steal a bit of mine and I'll dig out a huge spoonful of yours, no apology but a huge grin. This is dessert after all, and we are of Norwegian blood. The kind that serve no less than three options for dessert. We will not be shorted our fair share, but we won't be concerned in the least about yours.
While we stuff our faces, scarfing the chocolate chip cookie dough pie mounded with vanilla ice cream, husbands joke, exchange dessert protection stories of their wives.
We sheepishly giggle. We cannot deny the truth of our sugar craving behavior.
Robb and Thad commiserate.
"She does that too?"
"You have no idea!"
"Oh, I think I do!"
In this we are the same. We are twins after all.
And at our husbands' complaints we can barely contain our laughter as our spoons battle over the last bite.
Today is our birthday. Yep. We turn 35 today! And since no one could come to yesterday's Gifts & Gab because of the horrendous amount of snow that decided to come for my longstanding wish to have a white birthday, and I didn't get to give anything away,
SURPRISE!
I'm giving away a $35.00 shopping credit to {So}Sartina today!
But hurry! Comments will close tonight!
To enter, leave a comment with your email address and your favorite birthday treat. Because we like sweets!
P.S. Just this week as we celebrated grandma's 91st birthday at the local Chinese buffet, a delicate cake sat on my plate, and she did it. Yes she did. My twin sister took the first bite of my dessert. A huge corner of a tiny mocha creme cake.
See? I am so not exaggerating this dessert dilemma!
Happy Birthday favorite sister! Love you!
{We shared a womb, so I guess sharing a little dessert isn't a big deal! Here's a fork. Dig in.}
You steal a bit of mine and I'll dig out a huge spoonful of yours, no apology but a huge grin. This is dessert after all, and we are of Norwegian blood. The kind that serve no less than three options for dessert. We will not be shorted our fair share, but we won't be concerned in the least about yours.
While we stuff our faces, scarfing the chocolate chip cookie dough pie mounded with vanilla ice cream, husbands joke, exchange dessert protection stories of their wives.
We sheepishly giggle. We cannot deny the truth of our sugar craving behavior.
Robb and Thad commiserate.
"She does that too?"
"You have no idea!"
"Oh, I think I do!"
In this we are the same. We are twins after all.
And at our husbands' complaints we can barely contain our laughter as our spoons battle over the last bite.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Today is our birthday. Yep. We turn 35 today! And since no one could come to yesterday's Gifts & Gab because of the horrendous amount of snow that decided to come for my longstanding wish to have a white birthday, and I didn't get to give anything away,
SURPRISE!
I'm giving away a $35.00 shopping credit to {So}Sartina today!
But hurry! Comments will close tonight!
To enter, leave a comment with your email address and your favorite birthday treat. Because we like sweets!
P.S. Just this week as we celebrated grandma's 91st birthday at the local Chinese buffet, a delicate cake sat on my plate, and she did it. Yes she did. My twin sister took the first bite of my dessert. A huge corner of a tiny mocha creme cake.
See? I am so not exaggerating this dessert dilemma!
Happy Birthday favorite sister! Love you!
{We shared a womb, so I guess sharing a little dessert isn't a big deal! Here's a fork. Dig in.}
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Jobs and Such
So here's the thing. Robb is in training to get his realtor license. I think that's what you call it. Actually he passed his tests last week, so now he just has to finish his classes. He got a job working for friends of ours as the office manager of a Counselor Realty office. He'll be listing property as well.
On the first day of class, he called me excitedly and said, "I was made for this." That was also confirmed in the class that pinpointed personality types that excel in the field. He loves laws and guidelines and paperwork and details and meeting people and phone calls and the internet. He's weird like that.
And the housing market can only get better, right?
For a variety of reasons, we are so thankful we sold our business when we did. We were paying attention. Call it common sense, discernment, wisdom, or the whisper of God, our hearts were prepared and when the opportunity to sell came, we jumped. And not a moment too soon. The entire upper management at the company we did business for was completely replaced within two weeks. We are so thankful all the loose ends with that company were tied and severed before all that took place, so none of the upheaval affected us.
Now, since Robb's got nothing better to do, (ha!) he will continue on and take the next level of classes and get his GRI Designation (Graduated Realtor Institute). So for the next month he will be spending lots of time driving and in class and reading and such. I won't be able to call him to come rescue me if I get a flat tire, or if the kids are driving me to the edge of sanity. But I can text him. *insert evil laugh*
Honestly? I never would have guessed this is what God would have for us. But there have been lots of surprises over the years. And if I've learned one thing, it's that all I ever learned about God's provision is true. I believed it then. I KNOW it now. And so, we prepare for the next thing.
Anyone looking for a house or have a house to list? *Grin*
On the first day of class, he called me excitedly and said, "I was made for this." That was also confirmed in the class that pinpointed personality types that excel in the field. He loves laws and guidelines and paperwork and details and meeting people and phone calls and the internet. He's weird like that.
But I love him anyway.
And doesn't he look skinny, ya'll?? :)
(Honey, when this post is delivered to your phone, don't click the photo link. kthanx.)
And the housing market can only get better, right?
For a variety of reasons, we are so thankful we sold our business when we did. We were paying attention. Call it common sense, discernment, wisdom, or the whisper of God, our hearts were prepared and when the opportunity to sell came, we jumped. And not a moment too soon. The entire upper management at the company we did business for was completely replaced within two weeks. We are so thankful all the loose ends with that company were tied and severed before all that took place, so none of the upheaval affected us.
Now, since Robb's got nothing better to do, (ha!) he will continue on and take the next level of classes and get his GRI Designation (Graduated Realtor Institute). So for the next month he will be spending lots of time driving and in class and reading and such. I won't be able to call him to come rescue me if I get a flat tire, or if the kids are driving me to the edge of sanity. But I can text him. *insert evil laugh*
Honestly? I never would have guessed this is what God would have for us. But there have been lots of surprises over the years. And if I've learned one thing, it's that all I ever learned about God's provision is true. I believed it then. I KNOW it now. And so, we prepare for the next thing.
Anyone looking for a house or have a house to list? *Grin*
Friday, September 10, 2010
Camping and a Snake's Regurgitation
We had our third annual Labor Day campout with friends and the weather cooperated perfectly. The mosquitos didn't, but they were nothing we couldn't handle.
For the first time, the clouds cooperated on a stargazing night when all the astronomical equipment was set up at the observatory and we all (grown-ups and kids) piled in the back of the pickup for the short ride there. We saw Saturn (which looked like a little sticker stuck on end of the telescope) and its rings, Mars and Venus. And a lovely star that turned out to be an airplane.
Mitchell wore the same pair of pants the whole weekend, and all the kids were filthy at the end of each day.
The boys found snakes.
Right about here I wondered what the snake was up to. I knew it was harmless, but....
it turned out to have no ill intentions. If you are squeamish, you might want to avoid the next couple pictures.
I think it was stressed out from being handled so much.
Because it regurgitated its dinner. That's a frog leg sticking out of the snake's mouth, in case you can't tell.
I did not take a picture of the partially digested frog. You are welcome.
The rest of our time was lovely and snake and frog free.
We played cards and took walks and sat around the campfire and talked. And laughed. And napped.
I had to wash my hair three times to get the smoke smell out of my hair.
And Robb won all the Ladder Golf games. So the weekend was a winner. Poor Norm.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Duluth in Black and White
Harbor Lighthouse
Lift Bridge
Split Rock Lighthouse
Robb walking across Gooseberry Falls
This week's You Capture theme was black and white. Go visit Beth to check it out!
The Bigger Picture: Why I Date My Spouse
Equally important, though less frequent, are longer times spent away. A night, or two or three.
One week ago, Mitchell and Megan were already at camp, so Robb and I dropped Madison off at Grandma and Grandpa's and headed north. Just the two of us. We found the AG Thomson House to be a perfect bed and breakfast for our little getaway. I can't imagine better hosts. (We got hugged when we left!) Breakfast was delish. (Seriously, check out the menu and recipes!) All the little extras added up to the. best. time. ever.
We visited Gooseberry Falls briefly. Well, we planned to visit briefly. Our quick stop was extended when Robb locked the keys in the van. Thankfully we noticed right away, and could explore while we waited for AAA to show up. Thank goodness for our AAA Gold membership!
Throughout our three days together, I pondered previous trips we've taken. In younger years, we may not have handled this little hiccup well. One of the key changes we've made is making dates a priority. If we wait too long, don't tend the fire, the pressure mounts and all expectations are laid on one short weekend. But a few days cannot make up for years or even weeks of neglect. The littlest thing can ruin a wonderful time when our expectations are high and our hearts are distant.
Thankfully we laid no burden on this trip. It was for fun, for relaxation. Not for Disney fairy tale romance. Because those expectations were not our focus, and we had no dating deficit we were scrambling to reduce, we could just enjoy each moment for what is was, not wishing for something different, something more, something deep.
On our way up to Split Rock Lighthouse, we encountered some road construction, but we hardly noticed. I was busy reading the history of the murder at Glensheen mansion to Robb in preparation of our tour there the next day. Morbid? Maybe. Fascinating? Definitely! Romantic? Doubtful. Memorable? Yes!
The next day, after our extended tour of Glensheen, we meandered through Canal Park, shared boneless buffalo wings and salad at Grandma's, shopped, ate ice cream that dripped down my fingers into a puddle on the sidewalk, and watched three ships come (sailing in, come sailing in....ahem) and go under the lift bridge to the harbor. At times we walked hand in hand.
That evening we climbed aboard this:
For a two and a half tour. First, as we cruised through the harbor, we had dinner with a side of sunset.
Then we made our way out through the natural inlet, along the shore of Duluth after sundown, and under the lift bridge. I took lots of pictures. We kissed on the bow deck.
Lake Superior was the calmest I've seen.
Lake Superior was the calmest I've seen.
And so went our trip. Lovely. Calm. Restful. Fun.
We are more one as we draw out the good and call out the bad, one's strength complimenting the other's weakness. All the time reaching for each other.
When we take time to grow into each other and together into Christ, laying expectations down, romance is not forced.
It blossoms all on its own.
Front patio at AG Thomson House
Sharing a Bigger Picture Moment, this week at Maegan's place
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