Hazy Views

rabbit food

2011-05-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

start with a generous bed of organic baby spring greens.

then add: baby corn, julienne beets, sliced olives, marinated artichoke hearts, bacon bits (the real ones), mushrooms, sunflower seeds, grated cheese and a small splash of italian dressing

your finished product is a tasty salad that hits the spot!

what's cookin' good lookin'?

2011-05-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

more randomness in regards to cooking and eating ~

my hubby barbecued us an amazing meal for dinner last night - lamb chops (yes, LAMB), roasted corn-on-the-cob with a seasoned goat cheese mixture and stuffed mushrooms stuffed with blended artichoke and mushroom stems and then topped with goat cheese. it was super good as most meals that he makes usually are. but what was more amazing than the meal was that he cleaned up ALL of the dishes and kitchen afterward even clearing the dining room table and wiping it down! while i always love it when my wonderful hubby cooks for us i don't like the clean up afterward because he likes to use every single dish, pan and utensil that he can!!! so last night was a super treat!

i've NEVER made pancakes for breakfast.

my girls and i love cream of wheat and i did make that for breakfast this morning.

i'm not necessarily looking forward to the little man starting to eat solid food because that means disgusting, stinky diapers. though the up side of that will be a lot less "exploding" diapers and therefore a lot less clothing changes throughout the day and less baby laundry.

when we remodeled our house i insisted on either putting in a double wall oven or getting a stove with two ovens. we went with the stove and double oven combo and i will never willingly go back to a single oven again.

and lastly . . .
i found out this morning that my VERY non-picky eater does NOT like roast. i'm like, "what"? SO . . . . . . . even though we're all going to be "raptured up" here in a couple of hours - i'm planning on making a delicious, juicy roast tomorrow for dinner that completely changes her mind!!!

oh, i almost forgot -
i checked out the Pioneer Woman's cookbook from the library and am considering actually trying out a few of the recipes . . .
but i'm gonna need to get myself a rolling pin first.

advice

2011-05-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Savanah's advice on changing her brother's diaper:
. . . when "it" darts up - you duck down!!!!

randomness . . .

2011-05-02T10:46:00.000-07:00

just a few things from my morning . . .

apparently my daughters are NOT fans of the band Chicago - i'm very disappointed

our one day of sunshine yesterday was not enough to make this day of pouring down rain "acceptable"

peach pie and coffee does a breakfast make

i never realized how much i could "love" baby poo and spit-up

i'm looking forward, once again, to a time in my life where i'm not so tired that i fall asleep while watching a movie - no matter what time of day i'm watching it

i really do prefer to dress my baby boy like a little man

we have four different cartons of milk in our frig on a regular basis: Non-fat for Sammy and I, Lactose-free for Savanah, 2% for Keith and Half n' half for my coffee --- it takes up a lot of room

AND . . . i think it's time for me to start reading Breaking Dawn again

This PORK BUTTS for you!!!!

2010-05-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that it has been almost a year since our family went to the Essman's for dinner and had the pleasure of our first pork butt. Since then I have made it for my family, Keith's family, friends and even my Bunco babes. It's a simple yet DELICIOUS meal that is fairly inexpensive and VERY easy to make. I recently learned that what we fondly call "pork butt" is actually called Kahlua Pork. I've had a few requests for the recipe so I'm passing along my "version" of it. I didn't actually get the recipe from Shauna so the recipe that follows is what I remember of what she told me and then what I've done to change it up and make it my own. If you try it make sure you let me know what you think.

Ingredients:
pork shoulder roast
cooked rice
black beans
shredded cheddar cheese
salsa

PORK BUTT

pork shoulder roast
3 tbls each of course salt & liquid smoke per 4lbs of pork

I slow cook mine in my crock pot for 12 hours on low. You'll know it's done when it starts shredding apart easily. (I just had a bit of an ah-ha moment. I just realized that the last two times I've made the pork I actually had it in my crock pot for 24 hours and it was WONDERFUL. This actually made it easier because I could put the pork in the crock pot between 4 and 6pm and it was ready the next evening at the same time.)

Serve the pulled pork over a bed of rice (I prefer brown rice which can be made with chicken broth in the rice cooker - 1 part rice, 2 parts liquid). On top of the rice and pork, put a spoonful of heated black beans, then shredded cheddar cheese and top with a liberal scoop of fresh salsa.

So that's how we eat our pulled pork "butt". My family absolutely loves it. I normally get my pork shoulder roast at Winco for .99lb. But the last time we were at Winco I noticed the price had gone all the way up to $1.99lb with the bone-in. We ended up getting our last pork butt at Costco and paid $1.75lb and it was boneless. Keith is the one who always "pulls" the pork for me. He said that the cuts from Costco were much better, they didn't have nearly as much fat as what we normally get at Winco. If I'm cooking for a lot of people (10 or more) I will do two roasts.

I hope that if you try the recipe you'll enjoy it as much as we do. If you have any questions, let me know!

(Amended on 5/5/11)
We have found that depending on the brand of liquid smoke you use this could easily become too salty. I prefer Stubb's brand. It comes in both Hickory and Mesquite flavor. We like the Hickory best but either is good. If you are using Wright brand you will want to use less salt. Or if you don't like salt use less. I wouldn't use less liquid smoke though, it really enhances the flavor of the pork. Also, the saltiness seems to increase if you have leftovers. But we still LOVE this recipe. We like to use the leftover pork for tacos!!!

To "Pot" or Not?!?!?!?

2010-05-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

So I posted a status last night that Keith and I were finally going to watch the first Harry Potter movie. I had more comments than I was expecting wanting to know my opinion so I thought I'd go ahead and post my own "movie review" on the blog I never use anymore! LOL!!!

Some background -
I have not read any of the Harry Potter books nor had I watched any of the movies before last night. Why? Because I've never had the desire to do so and I knew that there was a big controversy on the content of the books. And if I was being honest I'd probably say that I felt they were a little "immature" for me, but not in a snobby way. I just didn't know if I would find them interesting.

After partially watching (unfortunately I fell asleep) the movie last night I regret to say I don't have a very definitive answer to the questions asked of me. I am still torn between letting my girls watch them. I realize that they are old enough to decipher for themselves between fiction and reality but I would just hate to allow them to watch something that might affect them in a negative way. The whole basis of the movie being sorcery and witchcraft isn't something to be scoffed at. I just don't know if I want to even open the door to that for my 9 and 11 year old. Also, I researched the rest of the movies to find out if they would be able to watch the whole series. I found that the first three movies are rated PG, though a review of the 3rd stated it should have a PG-13 rating. The next two movies do have a PG-13 rating and then the 6th goes back to PG. So that would mean that the girls wouldn't be able to watch all of the movies for quite some time.
Having said all that I would have to say that I did find the movie and storyline more interesting than I expected. (I didn't fall asleep out of boredom.) Also, I didn't find anything objectionable in the movie concerning language or "sexual situations". I don't think that the movie itself would scare my kids in any way. I think that Keith enjoyed it and is ready to let the kids watch it. So we just might end up "Potting" it?!?!?!

Thanks Tank #29

2010-01-21T16:17:00.001-08:00

So this post has been a long time coming. To be honest, I've been meaning to start back up on my blogging but I've intimidated myself into not actually doing it. After being gone from the "blogging world" for so long, I wanted some awesomely, hilarious post to get me back into blog land. Kind of reminds me when I very first started blogging and not knowing what to name my blog kept me from starting a blog. But anyway, enough with the procrastination. I'm starting back with baby steps . . . . my thankful thoughts for today!

I'm thankful for four days without rain with actual bursts of sunshine and fairly warmish weather!
I'm thankful for kids being back in school where they belong.
I'm thankful for a husband who works hard even when it frustrates me because there are so many other things he could be doing that would be equally frustrating but I realize he is just trying to make our home be the best it can be.
I'm thankful for old pictures that bring back some of the most amazing and precious memories!
I'm thankful for planned visits with friends.
I'm thankful for friends that let you vent and rant and rave over instant messaging even when you haven't seen them in almost 8 years who tell you all the things you needed to hear!
I'm thankful for cleansing tears and healing laughter.

It's what keeps us coming back . . . . again & again & again!!!

2009-09-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

So, we are very blessed to be such close friends with the Owen Family. We've known them for about 5 1/2 years now and yet it seems like forever - in a good way! Unfortunately, they moved away from Washington 2 years ago BUT they didn't move far enough away to "escape us"! Anyway, two weekends ago we spent some of our vacation time down here helping build a shed for them. We had a blast staying up way past our "bedtime"! We are now back down here to finish up the shed and help celebrate David's 6th birthday! All of this to say - we LOVE our friends and this is what keeps us coming back . . . again and again and again!!!!

my blogging bff wants to fill your thanks tank!!!

2009-08-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

One of my very bestest buds is having a giveaway on her blog. So hop on over and check it out. Her posts are always funny and entertaining or thought provoking and spiritually inspiring. Her blog is why I started my own. Let me know if you end up being a winner to one of her awesome giveaways!!!

The End is Here

2009-06-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

So the end of the '08-'09 school year has finally arrived for us in Bethel School District in Western Washington. As always, we are excited to see the school year end and for summer to arrive! But I also wonder how long the euphoria of summer will last before we are ready for the new school year to begin?!?! The ending of this year is a little bittersweet because this is the girls' last year at Graham Elementary. A new elementary school will be opening in the fall and because of new boundary lines we will become Nelson Navigators and be Graham Grizzlies no more! While the prospect of being at a brand new school holds great appeal, I think the girls are a little sad to be moving. And I feel pretty bad for them because this will be there fourth elementary school they've been at since starting school! Anah is only going into the fourth grade! But lots of their school friends and all of the kids they ride the bus with will moving so I'm sure it will end up being all good! Here are some pictures of the girls on their last day and also some from their first day as well! Look how they've grown!!!

Savanah Janne' - June 16th, 2009

Samantha Reigh - June 16th, 2009

Savanah - September 2nd, 2008

Samantha - September 2nd, 2008

Some things I learned . . . . while on vacation!!!

2009-05-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

My sisters, cousin and I just got back from an amazing trip to Belize, C.A. "Belize" it or not - C.A. does not stand for California but Central America. (I actually knew this before leaving for Belize but was a little shocked at how many people didn't even know what Belize was!) Anyway, it was such a beautiful place and we had a ton of fun. I thought it might be interesting to share a couple of things I "learned" while gone!

i am actually capable of drinking not one, or two or even three but FOUR whole cups of coffee in the morning without reheating a single one if I take the time to sit down and enjoy my coffee without being distracted by other things.
i can survive without Facebook for a whole week and not even have withdrawals.
i'm surprisingly getting much better at the whole flying thing and did just fine on all of our flights to and from Belize as well as the two tiny airplane rides we took while in Belize flying from Ambergris Caye to the mainland and then back again - no nausea and no panic attacks.
i didn't miss my cell phone one stinkin' bit while gone and could have went a whole nother week or two without turning it on once i was home!
i am not as young as i once was and that fact doesn't bother me in the slightest.
i am not now - nor was i ever into the "party scene".
i truly enjoy karaoke even though i am not very good at it!
i smile too big for pictures.
i smile too much for snorkeling.
i am getting to old for sleeping on hide-a-beds!
i look better with a tan!
God has created the most magnificent world and I love being able to see all the things and places that he has made.
the Caribbean is indescribable in its beauty!!!
i love meeting new people and getting to know more about them and their lives.
i don't like being ignored!
i could live in Belize if the opportunity ever presented itself!
Belizean Red Beans and Rice is SO YUMMY!!!!!

Blessed by my Momma!

2009-05-11T15:00:00.001-07:00

Though I'm a day late - I still want to wish my Mom a very Happy Mother's Day! I am truly blessed by the most wonderful momma in the world. I love you, Mommy!

He is amazing!!!

2009-02-07T11:16:00.001-08:00

I have big plans for my weekend. I need to get all my Christmas decorations taken down. I need to do some major deep cleaning because we have some of our FAVORITE company coming next weekend and there are some major allergies in the family. Because of the cold weather and having a puppy we've had our animals in the house quite a bit over the last 2 months. All traces of our pets must be removed, as much as possible anyway.
I told my husband last night that I was going to get up early to get started on my day. Of course, I needed him to bring in all my Christmas tubs. When I woke up this morning, it was after 9 am. My hubby was not in bed. I came out and my kids were quietly eating breakfast and playing cribbage together and all my Christmas boxes and tubs were lined up inside just patiently waiting for me. Coffee had been brewed!
After being up for just a short time, something became glaringly apparent. My kids had pulled one over on me with their quiet demeanor and "show" of getting along. Within a half hour I was about ready to pull my hair out. Anything and everything that they could fight about they were. And they weren't just fighting, they were being down right cruel to each other. My hubby came in and found me hiding in the office trying to "get-away". I apologized for sleeping in and he just hugged me and held me and told me that I needed it and it was fine. As we were trying to go over some things the girls were just getting worse and worse.
Fast forward to an hour and a half later . . . .
I just got done listening to my husband calmly and patiently talk with the girls about their behavior. He has such a gentle and yet firm way with them. He amazes me with his wisdom in disciplining them. They are now both laying down for some much needed rest. Hopefully they will actually get a nap in and when they wake up we can start the day "over".
I am so blessed by this man . . . my husband . . . my love . . . the perfect father for my daughters!

Thanks Tank #27

2009-02-05T17:35:00.001-08:00

It's been awhile since I posted a Thursday Thanks Tank but even though I haven't posted anything in some time each Thursday I think a little more on the things in my life that I am thankful for. I love this exercise of consciously and purposefully taking time to think on the things that make me thankful. Here's my list for this week!

I am thankful for my new gym membership! I am excited to be able to be "hitting the gym" with my very good friend Heather. I'm excited to be setting some goals and hopefully being able to reach them.
I am thankful for a good deal on said membership. I've been meaning and wanting to get this membership for close to a year now. It's actually my Mother's Day gift from 2008! By waiting this long, I'm only paying half of what I would have been paying if I'd signed up before now! Yeah, me!!!!
I am thankful for the chance I had this past weekend of hanging out with my sister! We got to go up to IKEA on Saturday and have a free breakfast and then had a whirlwind shopping trip. She got lots of neat items for her home! My whole weekend was actually spent with family and it was really nice to be able to get out of the house and relax! Friday night we four girls went to see a movie. Saturday late afternoon all of us "kids" went shooting at the shooting range. And Sunday was spent out at my parents. It was a wonderful weekend!
I'm thankful for a chance to get together with my "other" family (my sister and mother-in-law) on Monday and scrapbook together! We hadn't done that for a long while and it was lots of fun!
I am thankful that things have been going so smoothly with our puppy but I'm also thankful that he should be going to his new home this weekend! Unfortunately, I've gotten a little attached to the stink pot so I'm praying I don't have some sort of crying fit when he leaves!
I am so, so thankful that my husband was able to figure out the problem with our washing machine and that we should be getting the rather inexpensive parts in the mail tomorrow! I am SO BLESSED to have a mechanically inclined hubby to do these sorts of things!
I am thankful for how responsible my kids are (usually) in the morning. I've gotten spoiled with them always getting up with their alarm and doing their normal morning routines without much help from me. It takes mornings like this morning (when they slept through their alarm) for me to realize that most 8 & 9 year olds need a little more coaching from Mom to do what my girls do on a normal day all by themselves. I'm very blessed!
I'm thankful that our very dear friends who were unable to make it up for Christmas from Oregon are coming up for Valentine's Day! I would be going insane with impatience if I didn't have so much work to do to get my house ready for company!
I'm thankful for my church, my church family and friends and how I miss it when I don't make it to church. We are SO BLESSED to be a part of a wonderful group of believers who love the Lord and are such an encouragement to others!

FRIDAY FLASHBACK

2009-01-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

So once again, I'm stealing a post idea from JA. What can I say, she's got all the great ideas!!! These are just a few pictures of my time spent at Ecola Bible School and one of them is actually from a reunion. This was definitely the most defining year of my life. I grew in ways I never thought possible and made friendships that have lasted 16 1/2 years. Because I moved around so much growing up, I unfortunately don't still have friends from Kindergarten. Amazingly through Facebook I am reconnecting with friends from different states I've lived in and that has been a blast but my closest friends are all "newer" friends - friends that I've made since graduating from high school. At times this makes me sad but I am so grateful for the friendships I have that it doesn't keep me sad for long. I am thrilled to be reconnecting with my "older" friends again and am hoping that now that we've reconnected we won't lose touch again. But back to my "lovely pictures"! Enjoy the pics - they make me smile and laugh!!!

Kristi and I at the Fall Talent Show!
Kristi and I at our Spring Banquet

Julie and I at reunion but I'm not sure what year it was!

Kristi and I pigging out on food after going for a run in the pouring down rain!

Jenni, Tammy and I getting ready for our Spring Banquet. Everyone who sees this picture comments on the "big hair"! Ha, ha!

Not Me Monday

2009-01-19T22:40:00.001-08:00

Ok so this is my very feeble attempt at my first, but hopefully not last, Not Me Monday! I have enjoyed reading through my dear friend Jane Anne's Not Me Monday posts over the last couple of months. If you even slightly enjoy reading this you should check out her Not Me Monday post as well!

After going for a "long spell" without having a Starbucks and then asking my hubby to bring me home one two nights in a row and that not quite working out, I certainly DID NOT buy myself not one but two quad shot Caramel Macchiatto's last Thursday. NOT ME!!!

I also DID NOT decide not to look for subs for Bunco last Thursday because it would give us all a better chance of winning. That would be so selfish and certainly doesn't sound like something I would do - NOT ME!!!

I DID NOT leave a status up on my Facebook profile for an extra long amount of time and refuse to update it until I had someone comment on it because of how clever I thought it was. NOT ME!!!

I DO NOT still have Christmas presents sitting in my bedroom that still need to be wrapped and given to friends. NOT ME!!!

I DID NOT thoroughly enjoy driving my husbands Durango today with new tires and wheels. NOT ME!!!

And lastly, I HAVE NOT been shamelessly leaving message after message for one of my closest friends pestering her about coming to visit. That would be inconsiderate of me to nag and nag and I would never do that. NOT ME!!!

I'm keen on KEEN's!!!!

2009-01-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

While checking out my friend Jane Anne's blog, I found a link to a fantastic give away. Just thought I'd pass along this great opportunity to you all! Hop on over to this blog for a chance to win your own pair of KEEN's!

Go Elf Yourself!!!

2008-12-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

Scroll down to the bottom of my page and see my family "elfed" and then go make your own. Let me know so I can come check out your very own "elfing"!!!! And Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

Broken weather widget!

2008-12-12T09:34:00.001-08:00

I think my weather widget might be a little "off". It's showing a clear, sunshiny day in my neck of the woods. When in reality - it's dark, windy and practically monsooning!!!

Thanks Tank #26

2008-12-11T21:50:00.001-08:00

This evening I am thankful for many things. Our warm home with Christmas decorations up and Christmas lights softly glowing here and there around the rooms. I'm thankful for dinner made by my husband and the chance to sit and eat with the whole family even though it was nearing 9 pm, a whole hour after the girls' bed time. I'm thankful for the opportunities taken to get together with friends for an evening of food and fun and knowing that it didn't matter what my house looked like - they were just glad to be here. I'm thankful for the honesty of friends asking for prayer for a difficult time they are going through and being able to diligently pray for them and then see specific answers to prayer. But mostly tonight I'm thankful for my husband. I'm thankful for the love we share and the burdens that we bare together. I am a blessed wife because of my husband and I never want to take that for granted. So thank you Keith, for all that you are to me! I LOVE YOU!!!

Thanks Tank #25

2008-12-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!!

I am thankful for the beautiful weather and warm sunshine today.
I am thankful that things went so well having Savanah's "saliva ball" lanced. Unfortunately, I don't think it was a permanent fix but it will give her some relief temporarily.
I am thankful for a wonderful Thanksgiving break spent with family all four days!
I am thankful for my husband taking the time to unbury all of our Christmas decoration tubs and boxes.
I am thankful for a "free" weekend to spend putting my Christmas decorations up.
I am thankful for our house and home!
I am thankful for the chance to reconnect with some "old" friends and also family on Facebook.
I am thankful for dear friends that I miss so badly I can actually feel a physical ache.
I am thankful for time spent hanging out with my girls, playing around and having fun!
I am thankful for our hairdresser squeezing us in for haircuts and hair-colors before Christmas!
I am thankful that Samantha is taking the loss of her kitty as well as she is which is much better than I have been taking it.
I am thankful that my sister is slowly, but surely, healing.
I am thankful for laughter and how much I have been hearing it in my home when only the four of us are here.
I am thankful for candles and how yummy and inviting they make my house smell.
I am thankful for a cleaner than normal house.
I am thankful for my heating blanket on my bed and for my husband who always turns it on in plenty of time to warm my side of the bed before I crawl into it!
I am thankful for coffee that is already brewed before I wake up.
I am thankful for my niece who just turned 3 years old on Monday and who will officially be my niece within 2 weeks time.
I am thankful for my new niece or nephew and the technology that allows us to know before hand - pink or blue? Hopefully, we will know tomorrow!
I am thankful for hope.
I am thankful for my parents and how much I love them and how lucky I am to still have both of them in my life.
I am thankful for surprises.
I am thankful that gas prices have dropped so significantly.
I am thankful for chocolate and brownies.
I am thankful for a tiny, perfect baby born of a virgin who came to earth and died on the cross for my sins and for the sins of ALL who would believe.

Wednesday Why's

2008-11-19T14:42:00.001-08:00

There are no "whys" concerning this Wednesday's post . . . . . .

only a bunch of "yes, Yes, YES's"!!!!!!!

Wednesday Why's

2008-11-12T23:21:00.000-08:00

Why????

I am wanting to know what the common practice is for recess on rainy days like today. I understand the need for teachers to have a break from the students and for the students to have a break from the classroom. But I'm also sure that there is some alternative for recess on days when the weather is so poor. Apparently Samantha is not aware of the alternative so I thought I would find out from you what the policy is. She came home today with pants wet all the way up to her knees, boots soaked through and socks that were so wet that I actually wrung them out. She said they had been this wet since first recess. Obviously walking around in wet socks and shoes all day cannot be healthy. I'd like to let her know what her other options are for recess besides for standing outside in the pouring down rain.
(Above letter sent to teacher today via email!)

Why????

Tuesday Teachings

2008-11-11T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today is Veterans Day and so I thought I'd do a little research on this National Holiday to better know what we are celebrating and to be able to pass some of this information along to my girls so they too realize how blessed we are to live in a country with so many freedoms.
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day and it was to commemorate the ending of the first World War. Armistice Day, "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'.", became a legal holiday in 1938. In 1954 this was replaced with a new bill and a new name. Under this new name, Veterans Day, all veterans from all wars would be remembered - not just those from World War I.
I often get confused what the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is. Memorial Day is a day set aside for remembering and honoring those that died in service to their country. Veterans Day on the other hand is for remembering and honoring ALL that served their country.
So today as we go about our daily lives, remember those that have served and who are still serving to ensure all the freedoms that we enjoy today.

I looked at this article and this web page to get more information about Veterans Day. They are worth checking out!

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . . .

2008-11-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

It completely KILLS me (totally in a good way) that my two not so little "princesses" are so completely engrossed in this (new to them) fad!!! Ever since we got home from our vacation these movies are the only movies that they want to watch. They are trying to recruit their girl cousins to the "dark side" with little success. Translation - they didn't want to have anything to do with it! The questions they ask are so intriguing and it's very interesting to see how their minds work in comparison to all the little boys who are so enamored. I mean really how many of you parents with boys have ever gotten the question - So do you think that Princess Leia is going to marry Indiana Jones?

Wednesday Why's

2008-11-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

Why, oh why???????

Tuesday's Teachings

2008-11-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

i'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony . . . .

sorry that's all i got for today

Cutest Trick-or-Treaters on the Block

2008-11-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Thanks Tank #24

2008-10-30T17:15:00.001-07:00

So today has been a rather crazy, busy day but I really wanted to make sure that I posted a thanks tank because it's been a little while and because I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I hope that as the holidays are starting to ramp up for everyone and the next two months fly by that everyone will make sure that they are consciously making an effort to think about the things that are filling your heart with thanks and the One who gives us joy!

I'm so thankful for a chance to go on vacation with my family. We had so much fun doing all the touristy Southern Cali things but we also managed to squeeze in time to see family. I'm thankful for my extended family and how much they mean to me and how much I love them even though I don't get a chance to see them very often.
I'm thankful for Facebook. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again but I just love keeping in touch with not only local friends and family but also my friends and family that are far away. In the past week I've reconnected with my two best friends from high school here in Eatonville and also found some "other" family members on FB that I didn't know were on there. It's too fun getting caught up on their lives and family!!!
I'm thankful when my husband sees that the garbage needs to be dumped and takes it out without me having to ask. It might sound silly but it means a lot to me to have him do that w/o me asking him to.
I'm thankful for modern medicine and all the things they can do these days to treat people who have serious medical issues. It really wasn't too long ago that some of the things that are so easily diagnosed and treated now were undetectable and led to death or severe illness.
I'm thankful for the power of prayer to not only heal but to calm. I'm thankful for all those that are praying for the medical issues that are going on with in my extended family right now.
I'm thankful that when we got home from Cali and over the last couple of days that even though it's been cold it has been nice and sunny and not stormy.
I'm thankful for beautiful autumn days and for the fall colors appearing on the trees and bushes.
I'm thankful for our good friends the Thompson's who agreed to watch our pets while we were gone.
I'm thankful that the girls' parent-teacher conferences went so well and the girls are doing so well in school.
I'm thankful that Wednesday was the last day of volleyball practice and this Saturday is Sammy's last game. I LOVE the sport but am happy to be having a few less things to do every week!

Wednesday Why's

2008-10-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Why does the peel on a banana get thinner the riper the banana gets?

Why does it seem that the shows I like to watch on TV are always on when I'm busy but then not on when I have nothing going on?

Why do some people love rainy, gloomy weather and others prefer sunshine and heat? Does it have something to do with personality, genetics, environment?

Why did my floor fail?

Why do I sometimes prefer a latte over a regular cup of coffee and then other times only a cup of coffee will satisfy?

Why do we give out candy at Halloween time? When did this ritual start and why?

And lastly - this isn't a why question but it's something I'm hoping someone might be able to answer for me - has there ever been a child/person abducted from Disneyland?

Litterbug?

2008-10-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

would it be considered littering and could I get a ticket for the massive amount of pine needles and leaves that collected on my car while I was gone for a week and then proceeded to fly off as I drove down the street yesterday?

It's getting cold in here - so put on ALL your clothes!!!

2008-10-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

36*F ~ 36*F ~ 36*F

Seriously? Seriously!?!?! It's 10:30 in the morning and still only 36*F!!!! We just got back from 90*F weather!!!! I'm not sure my blood can take it!!!!!

Wednesday Why's

2008-10-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

Why does some people's hair naturally change color as they get older?

Why does the thought of going back to work (even part-time) terrify me and yet thrill me at the same time?

Why does it warm my heart to the core when a baby lays their head on my shoulder and then just stays there for a snuggle?

Why doesn't Stephanie have 24 oz iced cups at Austin Chase?

Why do I like Almond Roca syrup in hot drinks and not cold? And Coconut syrup in cold but not hot?

Why do I love homemade banana bread but despise eating a banana?

Tuesday Teachings

2008-10-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

This past week was really, really busy and I didn't take the time like I should have to do my bible lesson each day. So I ended up doing it all on Monday. While I'm really glad that I got it all finished I definitely didn't get the full benefits of being in God's word each day and taking more time to dwell on the key points of each days lesson. I'm praying that this next week I will do a better job of that.

As I assumed when I started this bible study and when I started these Tuesday postings, the longer I'm in the study the more great bits of insight I'm learning. So I'm going to share a couple of points and thoughts that just really stood out to me. Starting with a statement that Tianne Moon said today during our DVD session - "Bible study is not just about gaining knowledge of the bible but about applying those principals to our lives."

While there were many things that stood out in this weeks bible study, I feel the main topics we touched on that hit home the closest were about humility and obedience. Here are some of the phrases I underlined in my book.

Living in unity means that we stop pushing our own agendas and actively value the ideas and opinions of others. We become willing to set aside unimportant personal differences so that we can accomplish important godly goals.

My disobedience to God is more than committing sins or making bad choices. My disobedience takes God off the throne in my life and seats me in His place. By disobeying His commands, I choose to be in charge - ignoring God's rightful place in my life.

True joy does not come from being in charge, it comes from humbly acknowledging that God is in control. Joy is a product of worshipping the only One worthy of our praise and humbly serving Him in every aspect of our lives.

Unity and humility are essential qualities of strong friendships.

Before and After

2008-10-13T00:07:00.001-07:00

So on Friday I had my hair done. At the beginning of the summer I went back to blond after having dark hair for a long time. I was intending to go back to the dark chocolate color come fall. But after having been gone from blond for some time, I started feeling like maybe I wanted to stay in this "land of denial" a tad bit longer. But either way, something had to be done about those roots. So I decided to ask Keith what he thought and he decided I should go back to the chocolate. Here's some before and after (though not the same day) photo's for ya all to look at and then tell me what you think - blond or brunette?

Thanks Tank #23

2008-10-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

Gonna make this short and quick cause I've only got a few hours of sleep time before we are up and at them and starting on a very busy day! My thankful thoughts for this week are as follows:

i'm thankful that my hubby was able to get away for a couple of days and relax, chill and hang out with his really close friends.
i'm thankful for my daughters help in cleaning the house this evening. they did an awesome job and with minimal amount of complaining.
i'm thankful for the fun next couple of days we (the girls and I) have planned.
i'm thankful for the extra helpers we had in MOPs today. and the reminder of when I was younger and only wanted to be around babies!
i'm thankful that the girls are older and i can do things like take them to scrapbooking with me.
i'm thankful that i'm going to be an aunt again!
i'm thankful that i was able to fall asleep and sleep well w/o having keith here.
i'm thankful that when my husband is gone - I miss him terribly.

Wednesday Why's

2008-10-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

A couple of things I've been pondering today -

Why do I miss my husband more today than any other given day when it's been the same amount of hours since I've seen him? Is it because I know that I won't actually be seeing him til Saturday? Or is it because I won't have his help with the girls for the next couple of days?

Why do your taste buds change as you get older?

Why is it that when you are prepared for the rain it doesn't make an appearance but when you aren't - man does it dump?

Why is it so important to me to receive comments on my blog posts?

Why do my two closest friends have to both live in Oregon - hours and hours from me but only 1 1/2 from each other? It hardly seems fair!

And I'm still wondering why not only the smell but even the thought of coffee, makes me smile?

Tuesday's Teachings

2008-10-07T22:57:00.001-07:00

I'm so incredibly wiped out right now. I should be in bed and yet I really wanted to post something today for Tuesday's Teachings. I have now been into my study on Joy for a week now and I've got to tell you - I've been learning some pretty profound things. But I don't have the energy tonight to put it all down on "paper" (or should I say screen) for you. So I will just leave you with this one thing that I learned this evening.
I had a very good friend call me to let me know that her grandmother was in the hospital and not doing well at all. The doctors have said they need to call all the family to come. As I stood on the other end of the line while my friend was trying to tell me this through her tears, I thought - What do I say? I feel as though I've been through my fair share of tragedies. I've grieved over lost loved ones and felt the sheer fear of not knowing what a doctor's prognosis might hold. I've been the person on the other end of the line reaching out for any speck of hope and longing for words that will comfort and heal and yet knowing - nothing that anyone says can really make it any better. This evening it was abundantly clear that TRUE PEACE, TRUE COMFORT, TRUE JOY comes ONLY from our Creator - the One who knows the plans He has for us - all of us.
The only thing that was left for me to do for my friend and her family was to pray diligently for His peace and His comfort to be with her during this time and that His perfect will be done in this situation.

All the Leaves are Brown . . .

2008-10-04T15:20:00.001-07:00

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
and the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I went for a walk . . . . . .

I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
if I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California Dreamin' on such a winter's day

We leave for Callie in 2 weeks. I'm SO looking forward to the vacation with the whole family; being down in the sunny, warmer weather; taking the kids back to Disneyland; being able to do the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld; and taking Anah on her first plane ride! I'm also excited to spend a little bit of time with my grandparents. I wish we could stay longer than 8 days to be able to spend even more time with them. I'm realizing more and more that they are getting older and won't be around for much longer. I want the girls to be able to remember them clearly when they are older and their great grandparents have passed on.

So today on this blustery, rainy, typical Pacific NW day - I'm California Dreamin'!!!

Wednesday Why's

2008-10-01T00:54:00.000-07:00

A couple of things I wonder about -

Why isn't the soap as sudsy when it gets to the bottom of the bottle or the end of the bar?
Why do I feel as though my husband is attacking my parenting skills when he comments on others peoples well-behaved children?
Why can I be so sleepy throughout the day and then once it is late at night - I'm wide awake?
Why does the smell of coffee make me smile?

Tuesday's Teachings

2008-09-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Today our Ladies Bible Study started back up again at Bethany. The study is called Enjoy - A Thirst-Quenching Look at Philippians by Tianne Moon. The study focuses on joy - where does it come from? And how can we get more of it? It's a study that just seems to be SO applicable to my life right now. I'm looking forward to all that I can and will learn through this study. I'm looking forward to forming friendships with the ladies who will be in my discussion group.
So I thought that since bible study is on Tuesdays, I would try and dedicate a post each Tuesday to what I learned or what stood out the most to me that day. Since today was more about getting started and the introduction, it was very easy to pinpoint what stood out as significant to me.
"Joy does not come from a change in our circumstances. It comes from a change in our perspective on those circumstances."
This is just a wonderful reminder to me that it is ALL about my attitude. If I choose to look for the good in a bad situation or focus on what the Lord is trying to teach me, I am instantly more joyful. This is the example I want to be for my children, husband, family and friends. When people look at me, I want them to see someone whose life is centered on Christ and who radiates - JOY!

If it's not one crazy thing, it's another!

2008-09-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

After waking up a week ago to temperatures in the mid 30's and finally turning up our heat (it's set at 65*F), we are supposed to be getting back up into the 80's in a few days. Now I'm not complaining about the sunshiny days and the beautiful weather. It's actually a huge blessing to have a couple of warm days in a row because Keith is staining our back porch as I write this. But you have to admit - this weather is crazy!

I scream, you scream, ice cream!

2008-09-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?!?!?! You have to check out this article featured on the MSN home page regarding PETA and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. PETA is proposing that instead of continuing the practice of using cow's milk to make ice cream that Ben & Jerry should use mother's milk. As in HUMANS!!! How disgusting is that???? Speaking of ice cream, that makes me want to scream! Anyway it was too odd of a story not to share so check it out!

Thanks Tank #22

2008-09-25T16:49:00.001-07:00

It's been a little while since I've posted a Thursday Thanks Tank. I have so many things to be thankful for, not only this week but throughout my life in general. Thanks for taking the time to come check out my blog and listen to the things that I write from my head and heart. Blessings to you this week! Please take the time to think on the things that are filling your tank with thanks!

I'm thankful for my Mom and all that she means to me and does for me. Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer. Six years ago was when we first found out that she had breast cancer. It's really hard learning that the cancer is back (or that it wasn't all removed the first time around). And it's hard to be thankful for this situation but even in its ugliness there are some things to be thankful for. The fact that her doctor demanded that she have a biopsy even though two other doctors told her it was nothing. The fact that at this point it appears to be contained only in this lump. The fact that she already has a working relationship with the doctors at Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, which just makes it a little bit easier on her in getting appointments and meetings with the different doctors that she needs.
I'm thankful for my faith in Christ. With all the things going on in the world (and in my little world), I don't know how I would be able to handle it without the knowledge that I am sheltered in the palm of His hand and nothing happens that He does not know about. He has a plan for me and for those I love, who love Him. I HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!
I'm thankful for the ladies bible study that is starting up next week. With the busyness of life, I have a tendency to let my relationship with the Lord slide. I'm excited and eager to be getting back into His word and to be fellowshipping with other ladies who share my beliefs.
I'm thankful for the power of prayer and the people who have been praying for me, my mom and my family.
I'm thankful for the babies I get to rock and hold while helping out at MOPs and for the little kids who let me comfort them in place of their mom for a little while. It makes me feel really special.
I'm thankful for wonderful friends who worry about me when I'm sick and check up on me. I've truly been blessed with amazing friends.
I'm thankful for the chance my husband and I have had to go out on a couple of dates. It's wonderful to feel pampered and loved!
I'm thankful for my new tennis shoes that fit and don't leave my toenail beds bruised!
I'm thankful for the changing of seasons from the warm days of summer to the crisp days of fall.
I'm thankful that Sammy is now old enough to play volleyball at her school. She started practices last week and this Saturday she has her first game. Volleyball is my all-time favorite sport. The one sport that I actually did fairly well (besides for cheerleading ;}) at. I'm excited to be cheering her on from the sidelines!
I'm thankful for my girls and how mature and responsible they are becoming.
I'm thankful for laughter and silliness and my odd friends on Facebook. I laugh so much at them and that really helps lift my mood when I'm down.
I'm thankful for a common bond shared with others that know Christ as their personal Savior.

Smokin' Fine that Hubby of Mine

2008-09-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

So my amazing, wonderful husband planned a date night with my brother-in-law about a month ago. Last weekend my Mom had our girls overnight so Keith and I got to have a little mini-date last weekend as well. We went up to Kohl's in Covington and did some clothes shopping for our date to The Phantom of the Opera. Keith wasn't planning on wearing a tie but was planning on getting a blue dress shirt and black slacks but then we happened upon this gorgeous blue and chocolate striped tie. I made him get it and he graciously changed his game plan some and went with chocolate colored slacks. Plus he wore a tie and suit jacket out on our date. He is always gorgeous to me but last night - that man was SMOKIN' HOT!!!

Keith and I outside Ruth's Chris Steak House.
What did I tell you? SMOKIN' HOT!
At dinner at Buca de Beppo's.
I LOVE THIS MAN!!!

A Treasure

2008-09-18T00:08:00.001-07:00

Today wasn't the greatest of days. It wasn't bad necessarily but it wasn't all that great either. I wasn't feeling very well and I didn't end up getting many of the things done today that I was hoping to. But as I was folding and hanging up some laundry a thought occurred to me that made me stop and pause.
How blessed I am to have two beautiful, wonderful children.
Laundry is one of those household chores that I dread. But tonight I just kept looking at their little shirts and pants and shorts and thinking they are growing so fast. It seems like yesterday when I was folding those pajama's and putting them in Samantha's pile. Now they are going in Savanah's. Tonight those clean clothes coming out of the dryer were so precious to me. They were a reminder of a treasure that I have. Two little girls that are growing so quickly. But who are still small enough to pick up and hold and to rock in my arms when somethings not right in their little world. And yet their worlds are getting bigger and bigger by the day. They impress me daily with how intelligent and responsible they are becoming. I look at them and am constantly amazed. And oh how they make us laugh! We are blessed!
I am blessed with two treasures and I'm so thankful for that reminder this evening in the little shirts hanging in the laundry room!

Believe it or not . . . .

2008-09-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

So, slightly funny story! I was contacted the other day by a gal I've casually known through MOPs the last couple of years. She was wanting to know if I was still willing to work as a babysitter during their steering meetings and other meeting (don't really know what it's called as I've never actually been a part of the MOPs program besides for watching kiddo's). She was explaining to me who she was and reminding me of conversations we'd had about bum ankles and her adorable son Tate. She then proceeded to tell me a hilarious story about her not "knowing" Kim McCoy. Apparently she had heard some stories or things about this Kim McCoy person but did not know who she was. Then Melissa told her to give Kim McCoy a call about helping out at MOPs. She told Melissa she didn't know who Kim McCoy was. Melissa assured her that she did but she was certain she didn't. She did not remember someone named Kim who was married with any children. The only gal she remembered was a young girl who at her oldest was in her early 20's!!!
I can't begin to tell you how hard I laughed at this. WOW! Believe it or not . . . someone thought I was too young to be married and have any children! That is WAY TOO FUNNY!

BTW - I posted this story solely for Jane Anne because she was getting tired of singing En Vogue in her head!

Back to Life . . . Back to Reality . . . Back to School

2008-09-02T19:04:00.001-07:00

Well, the girls started back to school today. It was a bit of a rough morning but we made it through and got to school on time even after taking pictures. When the girls got home (their bus didn't arrive until 20 minutes after it was supposed to), they both said they had a GREAT day. I'm looking forward to this school year and I think the girls are too. Savanah has Sammy's teacher from last year, Mrs. Milke. Sammy's new teacher is Mrs. Scott. So far, we've been very happy with the teachers the girls have had while here at Graham Elementary. (On a side note - At church on Sunday we ran into one of Sammy's teachers from 2nd grade. She no longer works at Graham Elementary so Savanah didn't get a chance to have her. But it was really great seeing her and finding out that she and her family are now attending Bethany!) Savanah will be getting a new teacher in November though as her teacher is pregnant and due around that time. We are praying that the new teacher will be a great fit for not only Savanah but for the whole class and that it will be a smooth transition for the kids and new teacher once she starts.

Thanks Tank #21

2008-08-29T00:04:00.001-07:00

This is going to be ANOTHER short thankful list but since it's my last official thankful post of the summer I'm assuming that my lists will get back to normal starting next week.

I'm so thankful for the chance I had to go to Oregon with my girls and spend time with my two closest friends. The second half of our trip was spent with the Owen's who are more like family than friends. Unfortunately the first part of the week was a bit rainy and dreary outside so for lunch one day we took the kids to McDonald's and they played for a long time. It was really nice having the chance to just chat with Jane Anne about life and get caught up a bit since the kids were so busy running around screaming and having fun.
I'm thankful for getting off the beaten path and beautiful surprises while "lost". (We weren't actually lost we realized right away we had drove past the driveway we were supposed to turn at.) The drive out to Brownsville was just gorgeous and then we were able to take some pictures overlooking this magnificent view! So fun!
I'm ALWAYS thankful for the opportunity to scrapbook but it was extra special scrapbooking with JA. We had a very fun day celebrating Jane Anne's birthday (belated). We had Chinese food for lunch. Shopped at this adorable little store and got awesome candles. Then stopped at Safeway for chocolate and coffee! Nothing much beats that!
I'm thankful for child-like fun!
I'm thankful that the weather got nicer and we were able to take the kids to the "pool-park". All the kids had a blast and the adults too! Even Seth - I think???

I'm thankful for pedicures . . . .
and manicures!!! (Can you guess who went white and who went black?)
I'm thankful for dear, dear friends who my kids call Auntie and Uncle. Everytime we get together we have such a blast whether we are being wild and crazy (please see posts on Anah's birthday party) or just hanging out doing nothing!
I'm thankful for Elsie Jane who helps me get a bit of my baby fix. I love that I've been able to be "around" (I use that term pretty loosely since we don't live that close anymore) for so many of her "moments" from being at there house after Seth and JA found out she was a girl to spending 5 anxious days waiting for her to make her big arrival and then her not coming til the day after her due date. She is such a doll and I love her to pieces!
The McCoy girlies and Owen boys - getting along, hanging out, just spending time together.

I'm also thankful for being home. For all the work my husband got done while we were away. I'm thankful for the chance to meet our girls' teachers this evening at the Open House. I'm thankful that the girls are looking forward to school starting and that they do so well in school. I'm thankful for the chance to get together tomorrow night with Keith's family to celebrate his parents anniversary. And sleepovers with little girls (who aren't so "little" anymore!). I'm thankful that I'm going to be getting my hair cut tomorrow because it has been driving me buggy for weeks!

Olympic moment

2008-08-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

While at my friends house in Oregon I was flipping through a book she had that was a "conversation starter". I found a couple of questions that I thought I would use to generate some comments and conversation on my blog. I thought it was very appropriate considering we just finished up the Summer Olympics. I've been alive for 9 Summer Olympics but am not really sure how many different years I remember. I do believe that for as long as I've been old enough to realize what the Olympics are that they've excited and fascinated me. I remember watching them diligently even while I was in school. The year that the Olympics were held in Los Angeles, my Grandparents brought us a ton of Olympic paraphernalia. Shirts, hats, binoculars and such. I'm a true fan of the Olympics. I would literally sit and watch for two whole weeks if I could. So this brings me around to my question.

What is the most awe-inspiring Olympic moment that you've seen during your lifetime?

For me it would have to be when Kerri Strug clinched the gold medal for the United States Women's gymnastics team in 1996 - sticking her landing on her second vault after seriously messing up her foot/ankle on her first vault. I remember watching and bawling my eyes out. It was a very memorable moment for me.

This year I was able to watch (non-stop) for the first weekend of the Olympics and then also a couple of days after that. Watching Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals was awesome and it makes me excited for athletes and events that we've yet to see. The girls watched with us some on that first weekend and I'm hoping that they will grow to love the Olympics as much as I do.

So . . . . What is the most awe-inspiring Olympic moment that you've seen during your lifetime?

Thanks Tank #20

2008-08-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

This is going to be another short thanks tank just because I'm still really busy filling it!!!!

I'm so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my friend Kristi, who I met while at Ecola, last week. We had a blast together! It was also really fun having our kids play together. This was the longest we've had the kids together and they had a lot of fun too!

Parker, Savanah, Mason, Cole, Samantha and Annabelle
Me with all the kids! What fun they were!!!
All the kiddo's in front of the scary, yet totally cool, 13ft crab!!!

I'm thankful that the girls and I made it safely to the Owen's on Sunday. I'm thankful that even though we've had a lot of unexpected rain we've kept the kids fairly happy with indoor activities. I'm thankful for our trip to the community pool (where we didn't get any pictures ;(). I'm thankful for McDonald's Playland where we took the kids today and let them play for a couple of hours! I'm thankful for chocolate ice cream, RED box DVD's, Starbucks and friends that are absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! (Hopefully next week I'll have lots of pictures to post of my time with the Owen family!)

I'm thankful for an incredibly fantastic summer filled with SO MUCH FUN and lots of great memories! It's hard for me to believe that we only have 11 days until school starts again! I really think that this has been one of my funnest summers for many, many years!

Thanks Tank #19

2008-08-14T23:52:00.001-07:00

This will be a fairly short thankful list, not because I don't have much to be thankful for but because it's so very late and I'm fading fast. So without further ado . . . .

travel safety - the girls and I made it down to Toledo, OR safely and quickly yesterday evening
lasting friendships - it's hard for me to believe that Kristi and I have been friends for 16 yrs but I'm so thankful for her friendship and the chance we have to reminisce over old times and yet are also able to daily create new memories that we will one day laugh over
a hard-working, supportive husband - my hubbie encourages me to take time to come to Oregon to see two of my dearest friends and then stays home to work so hard on our house and property
learning new things - today at the Aquarium we learned about crabs that live in the ocean between Japan and the Pacific Coast that can grow to roughly 13 ft in size. We saw babies that were over half the size of Lacy, our lab and they were 9 months old. It was a bit eerie and yet totally cool
my parents - my parents are celebrating their 35th anniversary on Sunday. I'm so thankful for the home I was raised in and the amazing example that was set for me and my sisters. my mom came and picked up the girls for a sleepover this week before we left on our "mini-vacation". she has always been so thoughtful and helpful not only with her own family but with all the people she has come into contact with throughout the years. i'm just very thankful for her (and them!) and all the ways she shows her love for her family!

Thanks Tank #18

2008-08-07T23:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, it feels good to be back to the land of blog! Tonight at dinner my oldest daughter asked me if I had posted my Thanks Tank yet. I just want to know when she got so grown up AND how she even knows about my Thursday posts of thankfulness. It makes me wonder just what else they are picking up on that I'm completely unaware of. Hopefully this will be a great reminder for me that I have two little sponges who soak up EVERYTHING - the good, the bad and the ugly. So in my words, attitude, speech and actions, I need to always be leading with a Christ-like example. So on to my thoughts of thankfulness!

I'm thankful for my husband who notices when I clean the house but so lovingly doesn't notice when I don't. Who bathes the dogs (not once but twice - all within a matter of days) after they've rolled in poop, after a long day at work. And then helps me make dinner to boot! He's a keeper!
I'm thankful for a wonderful day spent with my Momma. We went shopping and spent 6 hours in ONE store. I'd bet at least 2 of those hours were spent in the dressing room trying on clothes after clothes after clothes and talking, talking, talking! It was so much fun!
I'm thankful for my dear friend Heather who offered to watch my daughters w/o me even asking and then who kept them ALL DAY, while I shopped with my Momma!
I'm thankful for friends who are as close as family!
I'm thankful for the cheap theater in Federal Way and the chance to take the kids to see some really great movies for a really cheap price!
I'm thankful for quiet evenings spent on the couch next to my hubby watching TV and just chilling but feeling loved beyond measure!
I'm still thankful for the kittens we were able to get for the girls. We all have been having a lot of fun with them.
I'm thankful for family that loves us unconditionally.

Well, this is just a small list of things that I'm thankful for. I do truly feel as though this whole summer my heart has been filled to the brim and then spilling over with thankfulness and happiness. I have been wonderfully blessed!

For the love of a child or FOR THE LOVE OF PETE!

2008-08-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

Today was a bit of a "rough" day in our household. It actually probably started a bit yesterday but that was SO LONG AGO who can remember! We McCoy girls had been invited to a friends house who have a swimming pool. Since the weather was going to be so warm we thought we'd let the kids hang out in the pool and possibly even dip our toes (whole bodies) in as well. (Breathe JA - I actually do like swimming!) But it was glaringly apparent first thing this morning that there was going to need to be a major attitude adjustment before this would happen. And let's be honest - the attitude adjustment needed to happen in all three of us. I was very short on patience and the girls, well, they were short on obedience. Which then turned into outright - naughtiness. This brings me around to the point of my post. In the beginning the girls absolutely could not get along with each other. After getting in trouble numerous times and having practically all of their privileges taken away, they finally decided to start getting along. But then they turned on me. And I was now up against TWO little evil monsters, instead of battling one on each side. (Now don't get me wrong - I love these little monsters to death but a dungeon was looking pretty good today!) So, how is it that they can go from constant bickering and arguing and not getting along to being the best of friends and ganging up on Mom, the one they were just turning to, to get the other in trouble? I don't get it and frankly I'm too worn out to speculate any longer.

More Thankful Photo's

2008-08-01T12:57:00.001-07:00

A month full of Thankful Thursdays

2008-07-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

We've been so busy lately that I haven't been doing much blogging and I've missed out on a whole month of Thursday Thanks Tanks. I have been so thankful for all the fun things we've been able to do and friends we've been able to spend time with. I decided to post some slide shows to "show" everyone the things I'm thankful for. I may even post more later! I hope that you all are having a wonderful summer and are enjoying time spent with family and friends!

"Stolen" Friend Game

2008-07-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

I got this idea from my friends, Melissa and Jane Anne. Here is a fun friend game...Leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time. Comment about anything you remember. Next, if you have a blog, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and share a memory about you.

Wealth of "knowledge" Wednesday

2008-07-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? To be honest I'm not sure. I know that my Mother got my middle name from a friend of hers but I'm not sure if I was specifically named after her. But her daughter shares my first and middle name. ???
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? July 10th
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It's okay.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Roast Beef
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yep - 2 girls
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'm not really sure. I'm pretty full of the drama. I don't know that I could handle being my friend!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Never (ha, ha!)
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Unfortunately and they are huge suckers!
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not unless someone paid me a lot of money and then probably only with someone else like on the movie Chasing Liberty!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cheerios
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Flip-flops don't have laces!
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I built a deck - what do you think? Oh wait was that sarcastic? What I meant to say was yeah, I'm She-ra Princess of Power!!!!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Chocolate Crunch from the old Thrifty's (now it's a Rite Aid) in Southern Callie
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile
15. RED OR PINK? Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My lack of organization
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My sister
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I'd love to get at least 10 comments!
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? My old red valentine Old Navy flip-flops
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Reuben Sandwich from Arby's that my husband brought home for dinner.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Fans trying to cool the house off and Sammy, Anah, Nate & Elli playing.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow, I may be full of drama but I'm a pretty happy-go-lucky sort!
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Coffee brewing, food type candles, my husband
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? James Thompson
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? No one actually sent this to me - I stole it. But I adore the person I stole it from and I miss her terribly!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Beach volleyball
27. HAIR COLOR? Right now it's very highlighted with lots of blond and a little bit of my natural poop brown color
28. EYE COLOR? poop brown though they are lightening as I get older so maybe they'd be considered baby poop brown now
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? only when I'm not wearing my glasses
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Pasta
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Hands down happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Blades of Glory
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? I really, really wanted to say that I'm not wearing a shirt but I guess that would be TOTALLY inappropriate and would also kinda revert back to that whole "sarcastic" comment thing - so . . . . . . . gray.
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs - I love hugs. When I was younger I was such a hugger. Now that I'm older though I've realized not everyone wants to be hugged and I don't ever want to do something that would be considered inappropriate so I really don't hug people anymore. FYI - my brother-in-law Martin gives the best hugs!!!!!
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Black rice pudding with coconut ice cream. (I know I've just shocked everybody who knows me speechless because I didn't say something with chocolate!)
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? My husband because he knows he'll hear about it if he doesn't leave a comment.
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I really haven't gotten much readership to my blog so I'm actually not expecting much response.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? I just bought myself a new book at the Christian bookstore yesterday for my long wait at the airport for my in-laws. I never even opened the book but when I do it will become the book I'm reading now. It's "Controlling Interest" by Elizabeth White
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I'm not using a mouse pad. But I would really like a cute mouse pad! (Hint, hint!)
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? No TV last night. I've actually barely watched any TV this summer. Just a tad bit too busy! (Shocking - I know!)
42. FAVORITE SOUND? My daughters singing, my sister's singing, genuine laughter, & "Welcome to Starbucks. What can I get started for ya?"
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither - I'm a Beach Boy babe myself.
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME??? New York City
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? My gut instinct is to say no. Unless you think that talking really fast is a special talent or driving really fast. Other than that - NO.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Upland, California
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? Everyones - I love learning new things about people!

It doesn't get much better than this!

2008-07-11T15:42:00.001-07:00

This is what summertime is all about and it doesn't get much better than this!!!!

Future Ecola Grad - 2018!

2008-07-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

Future Ecola Bible School Graduate - 2018!!!!

Independence Day

2008-07-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

Thanks Tank #17

2008-06-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

It seems crazy that it's been a week since I last posted and since our refrigerator disaster, or as my sister calls it, "The McCoy's Big June Thaw". This last week has been so crazy busy and we've managed to cram quite a bit of activity into it that I feel like weeks have passed. I had a friend ask me last night if I was planning on changing the name of my blog to Kimberly's Thanks Tank since that's all I post anymore. My answer to that was - NO! I plan on getting back to my regular "posting activities". I'm just not sure when that will be exactly! So here's all the things that I am so incredibly thankful for this week.

getting to go to a Pampered Chef party last night with my good friend Heather. while there I won one of the raffle prizes! you just can't beat paying $5 for 6 raffle tickets and winning stoneware - a rectangular lid/bowl! i also won a cookbook as well! yeah, me!
having our new refrigerator delivered on Friday afternoon. apparently when the freezer portion of your refrigerator goes the fridge portion follows suit fairly quickly. by the time the delivery people got here the fridge wasn't cold at all!
the delivery people who were very helpful in getting the new fridge in and the old fridge out and helping to get our perishables back in the new fridge as quickly as possible.
all the fun activities that my cousin and i were able to do with the kids. we went to meeker days in puyallup (my first time), the woodland park zoo, bahama breeze & the park. we also spent a lot of time hanging out on our back porch while the kids played on the trampoline and ran thru the sprinklers. we bbq'd and roasted marshmallows and made smores around the fire pit. we bought pizza from papa murphy's and then brought it home and cooked it ourselves which to a southern callie gal is unheard of. i mean you buy your pizza ready to eat as in cooked! we went and saw a movie in the theater besides all the movies we watched here at home! we ate tons of ice cream! basically we had a blast!
that tomorrow afternoon i will be heading back up to the airport to pick-up my sister-in-law, brother-in-law and niece. we are so excited for this next week spending time together as a family and just "hanein' out"!
for my friends that i miss SO much. missing them makes me that much more thankful for their friendships and makes me realize how blessed i am by them!
for my family and the somewhat boring life we lead - I LOVE IT!
that summer seams to finally be showing up and we should be hitting the 90's by this weekend - i'm hoping i'll still be thankful when i'm trying to keep the house cool!

My verse for this week is Hebrews 13:5; Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Thanks Tank #16

2008-06-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

Today has been an extremely busy day for me, and not just because I'm a procrastinator and didn't get all the house work done that I needed to before the arrival of my out of town guests. No this morning I awoke to dog poop on the laundry room floor and a freezer that was no longer freezing! My day was doomed right off the bat! But on and off throughout the day I was thinking of what I would write on my thankful Thursday list and here are some of the things that came to mind:

I'm thankful for my company that arrived here safely from Southern California. It's wonderful being able to spend time with family who lives far away. And it's also wonderful that in our incredibly hectic "adult" lives we care enough about each other to take time to visit.
I'm SO thankful for my little sister who changed her plans, loaded up her 3 yr old and 10 month old and went to the airport for me to pick up our cousin and her boys. And then went out to eat at the Olive Garden which isn't one of her favorite restaurants. I don't know what I would do without my sisters.
I'm also thankful for my other little sister who was willing to come early on Father's Day to help me prepare the meal I had told everyone I would be in charge of. Her salmon was DELICIOUS!!!
I'm thankful that even though our freezer stopped working and we lost a lot of our frozen food (mainly ice cream which is very, very sad) our fridge portion seems to be working just fine.
I'm thankful for my friend who told me to load my frozen food up and bring it to her house where I could store it in their extra freezer.
I'm thankful for the baby kittens we were finally able to get for our girls. They love them so much!
I'm thankful that we had the funds necessary to purchase a new refrigerator.
I'm thankful that after days like today my husband and I can sit back and laugh and know that God is an awesome God who has once again provided. How blessed we are indeed!

Thanks Tank #15

2008-06-13T00:12:00.001-07:00

I'm feeling extremely thankful and blessed this evening which really is a switch from my mood earlier today. Earlier I felt stressed out and a bit angry and was very, very snippy. I'm so thankful that in my ugly humanness Jesus Christ still loves me unconditionally. That in and of itself should completely fill and overflow my "tank" with thankfulness. But because God is SO GOOD - He adds frosting (or whip cream - whatever you prefer)! Here are some of the things that Jesus "frosted" my day and week with!

I'm thankful that I was able to get into town today and get everything I needed to get done on my list done and get home in plenty of time before the girls got home from school.
I'm thankful for a chance to show the girls' teachers a bit of appreciation for all that they meant to my girls over this past year. I'm thankful for the patience that they have to be able to teach 2nd graders and 3rd graders because I know that I could never do that.
I'm thankful for the warmth of the sun today. It's been way to long since we've felt its awesome rays! Definitely a huge mood booster!
I'm thankful that my husband enjoys landscaping and yard work as much as he does. I'm thankful that he doesn't require any help or assistance from me because frankly this is something that I do not enjoy. I'm very thankful for how wonderful our yard is beginning to look.
I'm thankful for the opportunity we have to have people over and relax and spend time getting caught-up!
I'm thankful that the puppy we are puppy-sitting has let us sleep through the night w/o waking us!
I'm thankful for the bunco group I'm in and what wonderful friendships I've made over the past 9 years! It's hard to believe that is how long I've been a part of The Bunco Babes!
I'm thankful for the chance to hold and love on a little baby this evening. Children are miraculous gifts from the Lord!
I'm thankful for my two precious gifts. This evening I've been able to comfort them and hold them and give them some attention that they don't normally get from me at this time of night. Normally if they get up I want them to go right back to sleep because all I can think about is how hard it will be for me to wake them up in the morning. It was really nice to hold my youngest in my lap for awhile and let her tell me about her evening with Daddy. It was great climbing into bed next to my oldest and listening to her tell me the exact same story 30 minutes later. On to their story . . . .
I'm thankful that Keith and I have not passed along some of our "big" fears to our girls. Or so it would seem . . . . . . .

This is the snake that our neighbor brought over for the girls to "play with". Anah reached in her hand and pulled the little sucker out and then proceeded to let the bugger slither all over her arms and hands. And when Daddy said I need to get a picture for your mom she put the thing RIGHT UP TO HER FACE!!!!!! Who needs boys when you've got girls like these!!!

My verse for the week is this: II Timothy 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline".

My husband is a cursor!

2008-06-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

It's true, my husband is an electronics curser (as in someone who curses all things electronic). Back when we started our blogs, which is almost a year ago, one of his first posts was about cursing the electronics "gods". It had something to do with his computer at work and a couple of other electronic devices of his. The morning that he wrote it our laptop computer crashed and we are still working on getting that fixed! Needless to say, he deleted that post! So anyway, he has been having some major cell phone issues. Yesterday he decided he had had enough and he was going into our cell phone providers store and going to talk with someone about what they could do for him. Of course he ended up talking with someone who wasn't very friendly, polite or accommodating. He left without really getting anything resolved. I, on the other hand, have not had any issues with my cell phone. Actually, I'm on my third and have never had a complaint about my cell phone itself. So Keith leaves the store and goes to give me a call on my cell. I answer my phone but can't hear him. I'm assuming I must have accidentally hung up on him. So I try calling him back but I can't hear anything - no talking, no ringing, nothing. I start to get a little irritated. Keith texts me and says he can't stand his phone because he could hear me but I couldn't hear him. So we go back and forth he comes and picks the girls and I up and we start to realize the problem doesn't lie with his phone but mine. What could have possibly happened to make my phone not work? We assume that when the store people looked up our account that they messed something up and now I can't hear through my ear piece. Long story short we get home and I call Sprint to talk with them and apparently the ear piece in my phone went out!!!! How lovely is that? So now if I need to take a call or call someone I have to use the speaker!!! You know, everything was fine until Keith started complaining about his phone - I blame my husband!!!!!

This just in . . . . National Doughnut Day!!!

2008-06-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

doughnuts are something that I just can't resist and if what i just read is true - i believe they might be giving away free donuts at krispy kreme today!?!?!

you'll have to let me know if it's true or not!

Thursday Thanks Tank #15

2008-06-05T15:42:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm not quite sure what is going on but the headache I had last week has never truly went away and today it is back with a vengeance! So I'm not sure that this weeks thanks tank is going to be any better thought out than last weeks. I feel so incredibly blessed and am thankful for so many things. Here are a few of them:

I'm thankful that Sammy was able to pull out her own tooth last night because neither Keith or I are really into that whole loose tooth thing!
I'm thankful for medicine that is easily and readily available in this country, whether it's for "big" things (epi-pens & antibiotics) or "small" things (like headaches and colds).
I'm thankful for our barbecue and the chance to "grill out" as our Southern friends call it!
I'm thankful for the year I spent at Ecola Bible School and the friendships that I made there. It was really a huge turning point in my life and I'm incredibly thankful for that!
I'm thankful for friends who are willing to be honest and vulnerable with me.
I'm thankful for iced caramel macchiatoes, whoever created this drink was a genius!!!
I'm thankful for the opportunity to sit down with my family every night this week and have dinner together and talk with each other and laugh with each other!
I'm thankful for the things about each person that make us all unique and that even though we don't always agree on things we can accept and love each other for who we are.

scrumptious!

2008-06-02T20:57:00.001-07:00

so this is totally for Neen and that dude, from Australia or New Zealand or wherever he is from, that has a blog where he posts pictures of all the food he has eaten for the day . . . .

my steak, rice and broccoli before getting salted, buttered and mayo'd and then after! yummo!

Now it's all beginning to make sense!

2008-06-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

So this weekend I had two revelations that helped me realize why I am a certain way about a certain thing. My brother-in-law likes to tease me (mercilessly) about it and I take the "heat" thinking - I know your right but I can't help it. Now I know that my inclinations are deeply ingrained AND now I know why. I always had a sneaking suspicion but this weekend it was confirmed!
Anyone who has ever had a meal at my house more than once has probably caught on to the fact that when I make food or plan a meal for a group of people I always make sure that we will have more than enough. And when I say more than enough - I mean, MORE THAN ENOUGH! It probably helps that I don't mind eating leftovers (sorry, JA!). But I truly have this fear of having too many people and not enough food. Since I tend to be a people person that enjoys having lots of people around that just leads to the need for lots and lots of food.
Anyway, this Saturday my sister came over for dinner with her son and I was planning on making spaghetti. Now my dad had been around for most of the day working on our back porch. I wasn't expecting him to stay for dinner and also wasn't expecting Brook to be here for dinner. As I was boiling the noodles, I thought to myself, I always make way too many noodles and then they sit in our frig. And even though we will eat on them. I usually end up throwing some of them away. I've been trying to work on my over-cooking so I just cooked a box and a half of noodles. Shortly after I've done this we realize that Brook will be eating dinner with us and I ask my Dad to stay and eat also. Now I'm in panic mode. I don't have enough noodles! My sister, the pragmatic and unflappable one, says lets make some garlic bread and then I decide to throw on some green beans as well. As we start dishing up, I find myself giving everyone small portions because I'm afraid we won't have enough noodles. I tell Keith - I'm an idiot and didn't make enough noodles. He very lovingly tells me - you're not an idiot and there will be enough. But I've really just worked myself into a panic over this. Mind you the only extra people we have is my dad, sister and nephew. Imagine if these people weren't my family! As it turned out we did have enough food with a tad bit leftover (which Keith ate last night for dinner) but the stress of it all was not worth it.
Fast forward to the next day (yesterday afternoon to be exact). We are now all at my parents and are putting dinner together (for anyone who knows my family - on Sundays dinner is the meal eaten after you get home from church). My contribution to "dinner" is my sister-in-laws apple salad recipe that includes granny smith apples, cool whip, pineapple tidbits, snickers candy bars and peanuts. It's a wonderful, yummy salad but it doesn't really keep very well. So once again on the theme of creating less waste I've brought just enough for the 5 adults and 3 kids who will be eating. All of a sudden there is a knock on the door and then people come piling into the double-wide. I ask my mom what's going on? She informs me that dad has invited a couple of people to have "dinner" with us. AW HA! And now it is becoming so clear. My dad is a pastor, my mom a pastors wife. I grew up in this household. My mom is a smart, smart woman. She knows my dad well. He likes to bring home "strays" on a moments notice without informing the "woman-folk". Solution? Always have an overabundance of food to entertain with so that you are never stuck in the kitchen having a panic attack wondering - how am I going to feed all these people?
So now I know why I am the way I am about this particular issue. My other issues will have to wait for another day and another epiphany before we can even start to understand them!!!

Thanks Tank #14

2008-05-29T20:58:00.001-07:00

I would be so much more thankful if this headache I've been fostering all day would go away. But it doesn't seem to want to go anywhere and I really want to post my thanks tank so I'm going to attempt it. Right now I just keep thinking - give thanks in ALL things!

i'm thankful for the wonderful dinner we just got done eating - my hubbie b-b-q'd steak, we had baked potatoes, steamed asparagus and sauteed mushrooms and garlic. it was wonderful sitting around the table together as a family and having meaningful and precious conversations with the girls
i'm thankful for my girls who ate their snack, did their homework, did their reading and then played quietly for two hours after they got home from school while i slept trying to take the edge off this headache
i'm thankful for an awesome, relaxing and rejuvenating weekend away with friends.
i'm thankful for the chance to hang out with my sister and mother (in-love) scrapbooking till 1 in the morning last night (hmm, i wonder where this headache came from?)
i'm thankful for my husband

I have so much more to be thankful for and I know yesterday as I was composing my thanks tank in my mind I had so much more "listed". But this headache is getting the best of me. Please take time to be thankful for something and I thank you for taking time to read what has made me thankful this week. Blessings to you!

Gotta love these girls!!!

2008-05-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

I'm going to post something that Anah wrote today for her school homework. It made my heart melt when I heard her read it. I'm also going to post a belated Mother's Day gift from Sammy. It was this laminated "list" with a picture of her on it. I love the things she wrote; probably because I feel like it shows her maturity and the fact that she is seeing "things" without being told.

Anah's Story

I like going to my grandparents on Sundays. It is fun. We usually have hotdogs or hamburgers or steak and sometimes we take tons and tons of pictures. It is fun cause we have family time and if my family didn't have Sundays we would never have family time and then I wouldn't see my aunt or uncle or grandparents or baby cousins and that is not fun. So I thank God so much for making Sundays cause without Sundays I wouldn't get to see my family. So sometimes at night I even thank God for Sundays and I hope my family thanks God too.

Sammy's Mother's Day 2008 List

Mom Who'd like to see

Nice Hawaii

Funny Mexico

Willing to help people who need it

Who loves Who gives

Her family Care for her children

God Care for her dogs

Jesus

Who needs Teacher of

A hammock Samantha McCoy

A boy baby Savanah McCoy

A housekeeper

Who fears Student of

Snakes Her Mom

Spiders Her Grandma

Bulldogs

Both of these just touched my heart. I love them both and I love THESE GIRLS!!!

Thanks Tank #13

2008-05-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

All I've been able to think about today is the tragic death of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter who was adopted from China. So today my thanks tank is filled with my daughters. I'm so thankful for them. I'm thankful for their health and safety. I'm also thankful that in our sadness and despair Jesus is always there. I have posted the lyrics to the song Praise You in this Storm by Casting Crowns.

I Was Sure By Now

That You Would Have Reached Down

And Wiped Our Tears Away

Stepped In And Saved The Day

But Once Again, I Say "amen",

And It's Still Raining

As The Thunder Rolls

I Barely Hear Your Whisper Through The Rain

"i'm With You"

And As Your Mercy Falls

I Raise My Hands And Praise

The God Who GivesAnd Takes Away

I'll Praise You In This Storm

And I Will Lift My Hands

For You Are Who You Are

No Matter Where I Am

Every Tear I've Cried

You Hold In Your Hand

You Never Left My Side

And Though My Heart Is Torn

I Will Praise You In This Storm

I Remember When

I Stumbled In The Wind

You Heard My Cry

You Raised Me Up Again

My Strength Is Almost Gone

How Can I Carry On

If I Can't Find You

As The Thunder Rolls

I Barely Hear You Whisper Through The Rain

"i'm With You"

And As Your Mercy Falls

I Raise My Hands

And Praise The God Who Gives

And Takes Away

I Lift My Eyes Unto The Hills

Where Does My Help Come From?

My Help Comes From The Lord

The Maker Of Heaven And Earth

A coffee quiz for the birthday bean burner!

2008-05-21T13:45:00.001-07:00

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern

At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent

You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet

Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Protest comes in many forms

2008-05-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

They are screaming out at me protesting from deep within. NO, NO, NO!!!!! Don't do it! Anything but that! Don't hide us away in this tight, dark space!

What is protesting and why - you may ask?

The answer - my toes!!! You see they've tasted freedom and now cannot bear to be shoved back into socks and shoes!!! The weather mocks them but what can I do?

Our dessert for the evening is . . . .

2008-05-19T21:30:00.001-07:00

You Are Tiramisu

Light and lovely, you pack a punch.

You never overwhelm... but you always leave a lasting impression.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Color me - Egg!

2008-05-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

What Your Easter Egg Says About You

You are cheerful, friendly, and open minded.

You do your best to make sure everyone is happy, including yourself.

Empathy comes easily to you. You are very forgiving.

You don't hold grudges. You easily forget about any negativity in your life.

The Easter Egg Personality Test

One more for good measure!

2008-05-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF)

You are a passionate, caring, and unique person.

You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals.

You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily.

Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings.

You seek out other empathetic people to befriend.

Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships.

In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily.

At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career.

With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone.

As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style.

On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

A Final Test 4 the Day - The Flip Flop Test

2008-05-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

What Your Flip Flops Say About You

You live to have fun, and your sense of humor is downright goofy.

You are a big kid on the inside, and you have a very open heart.

You try to make every day feel like a vacation, even if you have other responsibilities.

Each day, you make a little bit of time to play and let loose.

Your ideal warm weather place: Disney World

The Flip Flop Test

This is the Life

2008-05-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting out on my back porch. It's 9:30 pm and I'm reflecting back on my day a bit, enjoying the coolness of the evening, while I listen to my family through the open dining room window. They are now watching Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. They've had a marathon day of Indiana Jones movies. This is the first time my girls have watched them and I'm sure it's going to come back to bite us on the rump tonight. I've already informed my husband that I am not getting up with any crying kids tonight because they are scared of the movies Daddy let them watch. But they sure are having lots of fun. The shrieks and screams keep bringing a smile to my lips.
Our day started out not as I expected. WARM!!!! I mean I expected it to get warm today but after having left windows open all night and fans going I didn't expect it to be warm still in our house. I was wrong! I had been planning on helping my Dad with our back porch today but found out yesterday that he wouldn't be able to make it until afternoon. So this morning found me cleaning house a bit and playing around on the computer. Hence all the posts for today - I'm sure it's a record.
Dad didn't end up getting here until later but we were able to get all the fascia up. This required me going up on the roof. I'm not exactly fond of heights but I try not to let that fear get the best of me. Of course, we live in a mobile home - how high up are we really? We also got a couple sheets of our roof "sheeting" up. Doesn't really sound like that much got done but my body sure does feel as though it was worked well.
Well, back to my quiet time on my porch with a final post for the day. It is an amazing feeling as I sit here. To quote Hannah Montana - THIS IS THE LIFE, SO HOLD ON TIGHT. THIS IS THE DREAM. IT'S ALL I NEED . . . . . I'M STILL GETTING IT RIGHT - YEAH THIS IS THE LIFE!

Music and Moods

2008-05-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

What Your Taste in Music Says About You

Your musical tastes are upbeat and conventional.

You are an easy going, optimistic person.

Family and friends are very important to you.

You enjoy caring for and helping other people.

You thrive in a tranquil environment, and you do your best to keep things peaceful.

You enjoy your life. You have your priorities straight.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

Things that make you go - hmmm?!?

2008-05-17T12:18:00.001-07:00

You Are An ESFP

The Performer

You are a natural performer and happiest when you're entertaining others.

A great friend, you are generous, fun-loving and optimistic.

You love to laugh - and you like almost all people equally.

You accept life as it is, and you do your best to make each day fantastic.

In love, you are a smooth talker and incorrigible flirt.

While you get into relationships easily, you don't tend to stick around when times get tough.

At work, you do well in groups. You keep everyone laughing through difficult tasks.

You would make a good actor, designer, or counselor.

How you see yourself: Capable, fair, and efficient

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Incompetent, stubborn, and silly

What's Your Personality Type?

Kiss me quick!

2008-05-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

Your Famous Movie Kiss is from Spiderman

"I have always been standing in your doorway. Isn't it about time somebody saved your life?"

What Famous Movie Kiss Are You?

Just call me Kimberlily

2008-05-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

You Are A Lily

You are a nurturer and all around natural therapist.

People see you as their rock. And they are able to depend on you.

You are a soothing influence. You can make people feel better with a few words.

Your caring has more of an impact than even you realize.

What Flower Are You?

Pass the milk, please!

2008-05-17T09:49:00.001-07:00

You Are Corn Flakes

You are traditional and easy going.

If something is high quality, you're satisfied with it.

You don't need much variety or novelty in your life.

You're happy with what you have. You're quite loyal.

You're the type of person who eats the same breakfast every day...

And likely at the exact same time each day!

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

Cookies, I love Cookies!!!!! I'm the Cookie Monster!

2008-05-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

You Are a Smiley Face Cookie

You're happy go lucky. So happy, in fact, it's a little past the point of normal sanity.
You usually make those around you smile ... when you're not creeping them out!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

Sadly, all good things must come to an end!

2008-05-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm home from my night out with the girls. What fun we had. Dinner was pretty good for some scary place on McKinley Ave. Janeen & Rene' made us (me) stick to our guns about not getting too much Chinese food like our first night in New York. They were right. Our meal for 2 fed all 4 of us with much leftovers.
We then went and saw What Happens in Vegas which has got to be one of the most hilarious movies ever! It was GREAT! Of course this is coming from me, the person whose favorite movies are Fools Rush In, 13 Going on 30, 50 First Dates, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Music & Lyrics, Sweet Home Alabama, Just Like Heaven, etc. Do we see a pattern here? Yep - You bet!!! It doesn't bother me one bit when a movie is typical and follows the same sort of pattern. Girl and Boy meet, one of the two does something stupid that jeopardizes the relationship, in the end the boy gets the girl or the girl gets her man. **On a side note. I love these movies and would probably choose my all time favorite from them but I also really, really like action adventure type movies like The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Ultimatum, the X-men Trilogy, The Italian Job, Live Free or Die Hard, Transformers, etc. (What am I missing?)** Anyway, I thought the movie tonight was just so incredibly funny! I can't believe how much I laughed. Even the previews before this movie were really funny! A new movie is coming out, with one of the guys from The Office, that has Teddy Geiger in it. He is an amazing singer/songwriter who I first saw on the show Love Monkey with Tom Cavanaugh. And there is a new movie coming out with Colin Hanks - for anyone that didn't know - he's Tom Hanks son! I also picked up 3 new lines, which excites me immensely! So from an extremely untrained and biased movie critic, I'd encourage everyone to go see this movie!
We also were able to go out for our dessert of Black Rice Pudding (or as the restaurant calls it - Sticky Ricke Pudding?) with Coconut Ice Cream. DELICIOUS!!!! I walked away wanting more, more, more and wondering why is it always so long in between servings?
So thank you Rene' for a WONDERFUL Mother's Day gift! What fun it was!!!!!

It's gonna be a hot one in the ol' town - today!

2008-05-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

So the weatherman says we are going to break record highs today! It's supposed to be up into the 90's and possibly even 100's. It's only May 16th! It's crazy weather that we are having this spring. Didn't we just have snow a couple weeks ago?
Anyway, you can really tell that it's gonna be a warm one. After dropping off the girls at school, I decided to drive up to the "other" coffee stand that I occasionally visit (it's close by and they have a drive thru!). It's 8:45 in the morning and there are 10 cars waiting in the line for the car wash next door! How crazy is that. Also there is about 6 cars in line at the coffee stand! Not very normal - almost a bit eerie! Us girls are going out tonight for another round of celebrating Mother's Day. It will be really nice to sit in a nice air conditioned movie theater. But I'm a little nervous about what we might find has we head into town. This weather has a tendency to make people a little crazy!
Enjoy the warm weather and we'll see you back here once it cools down!

Thanks Tank #12

2008-05-15T14:11:00.001-07:00

Today is a beautiful day made just for being thankful. Of course, isn't everyday? Here's a list of things that are filling up my tank with thanks! And boy am I thankful that filling up this "tank" is free!!!!!

french pedicured toes!
planned visits with friends and family (we have at least 5 planned over the next 6 weeks)
warm sunshiny days
having at least one of my dogs here with us
my husbands new (to him) computer
being able to sleep through the snoring coming from the other side of the bed
new clothes
great mother's day gifts (how materialistic is that?!?)
friendships that are dear to my heart
my girls and how grown-up & responsible they are becoming
tulips from Mason's mommy at MOPs
christian teachers in public school
children's programs at church
scrapbooking & the joy it brings

My verse for this week is Psalms 35:18,"I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you."

Take time today to think of all the things you are thankful for. Blessings to you!

SUPER SPECIAL SUNDAY EDITION

2008-05-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Mom!

As I mentioned in my Thursday Thanks Tank, I wanted to do a special thanks tank just for the Mom's in my life. I will start with my Mom and go from there.

I am thankful for my Mom because:

she taught me to be a bargain shopper
she taught me that having too much food at any function is better than not having enough
she is so giving of her time to help her children and others
she makes the best cookies in the world
she loved me and put up with me through my rebellious years
she made our home - growing up - the cool place to hang out, so all my friends loved coming to my house
she is a breast cancer survivor
she was always accepting of my friends (both boys and girls)
she bought me my wedding dress
she encouraged me to be a kind and compassionate person
she has put up with having us live with her on more than one occasion for very long extended periods of time
she loves my daughters and husband unconditionally
she taught me that if you get your laundry out of the dryer right away you won't have wrinkled clothes
she taught me that even if your room is messy, it will look 100% better if you make your bed
she has done hundreds of loads of laundry for me over the years and never complained
she was always home for me and my sisters when we got home from school
she is beautiful
i can go to her with any problem I have and she will help me
she is THE BEST MOM & GRANDMA IN THE WORLD!

I love my Mom for all of these reasons and so many more. She is truly one of the most giving people I know.

I am thankful for my Mom-in-love because:

she raised the man I love the most in this world to be a magnificent father and husband
she has accepted me as her daughter unconditionally and entirely
she is one of the most patient and non-judgemental people I know
she loves her children and her children-in-loves whole heartedly
she is an amazing Nana to all of her granddaughters
she has a passion and thirst for God's word that is a wonderful example to follow
she cares deeply for people and their walk with the Lord
she is so incredibly talented and artsy
she is an encourager for both her family and others

I am also so thankful for my Grandmothers who have meant so much to me. I'm thankful for my sisters who I get to share this journey of motherhood with. I'm thankful for my friends who are mothers that I can learn from and swap parenting tips with and who understand what I'm going through. I'm also thankful for my friends who might not have children of their own at this time who have listened to my stories and even helped parent my girls at times. So for ALL of the women in my life - THANK YOU and Happy Mother's Day!

Thanks Tank #11

2008-05-08T14:45:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited that my computer let me upload this photo! So that will be my first thankful "thought" for this post. I've been contemplating what would go on to my Thursday Thanks Tank list since yesterday afternoon. (You've got a lot of time to think when you are building a deck.) Since its Mother's Day on Sunday I started thinking I would do a special thanks tank just for the Mom's in my life. As I was pondering this though there were so many other things that I was feeling thankful for that I ended up deciding I would do a normal Thursday Thanks Tank but keep a watch out for a "Special Edition Mom's Tank" coming on Sunday!

My verse for this week is Proverbs 31:28, "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her"

I am thankful for:

new towels - fluffy, soft and green
being able to walk out my laundry room door onto a finished deck
Pastor George's sermons
babysitters that you trust and that your kids love
the money to pay for said babysitters
going thru hard times - to help you appreciate all you are blessed with
warm days filled with sunshine
the smell outside after a rain shower
packages in the mail
planned outings with my sisters and mom
quiet evenings at home with my husband and girls
Mario Kart for the Wii
the end of MOPs
a clean home
a home of my own
being a bunco babe
my nieces and nephews and the joy they bring

Pick a door - any door!

2008-05-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

That's right folks we now have access into our home through all three of our doors!!!!! How exciting is that? Very, very exciting! Of course we are still climbing up "fake" steps to get onto our deck but that's okay. Now it's on to upward and overhead!

My Monday Minute

2008-05-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

Once again I stole this from my friends post. But she said [I] could.

YOU CAN ONLY TYPE ONE WORD! Not as easy as you might think. Now copy or forward, change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers. Be sure to send back to the person you received it from.

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. Your significant other? awesome
3. Your hair? straight
4. Your mother? giving
5. Your father? hard-working
6. Your favorite thing? fun
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? coffee
9. Your dream/goal? fit
10. The room you're in? spare
11. Your hobby? scrapbooking
12. Your fear? death
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. Where were you last night? home
15. What you're not? organized
16. Muffins? bagels
17. One of your wish list items? pedicure
18. Where you grew up? everywhere
19. The last thing you did? crossword
20. What are you wearing? sweats
21. Your TV? evenings
22. Your pets? labs
23. Your computer? broken
24. Your life? improving
25. Your mood? sleepy
26. Missing someone? yep
27. Your car? disaster
28. Something you're not wearing? shoes
29. Favorite store? Costco
30. Your summer? anticipating
31. Like someone? love
32. Your favorite color? brown
33. When is the last time you laughed? recently
34. Last time you cried? awhile
35. Who will resend this? nobody

Just the facts ma'am, just the facts (as I see them anyway!)

2008-05-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

i prefer the bottom of a bagel but the top of a muffin.

my favorite drink is a caramel macchiato. i HATE vanilla. vanilla syrup is the first ingredient that goes into a caramel macchiato.

i love chocolate but can't stand white chocolate.

i have a chocolate fetish and yet as long as it's in my house, i don't have to eat it - i.e. i still have the chocolate bar I was given when my friends son was born. he just turned 3! and yet if all the chocolate in my house was gone I would literally have a panic attack and have to rush to the store for chocolate!

i'm coming to realize that shoes aren't as important to me as they once were. i'd rather wear my slippers everywhere!!!

i can't stand listening to the radio.

i despise having to "get ready" in the morning. make-up is only my friend because it makes me look somewhat decent not because i enjoy applying it!

i go through crazy funky spurts - sometimes i enjoy reading so much that every time i get a chance i read, and then all of a sudden it seems to take all my energy to even pick up a book. i "rotate" the genre of music i am into sometimes every couple of months and sometimes longer. i'm not sure what the genre is that i'm into at the moment. but i will go thru oldies to country to christian to 80's to soft rock to 80's hard rock to ???? right now I have Billy Ray Cyrus in my CD clock radio alarm, The Friends of Distinction (Grazin' in the Grass is a gas, baby can you dig it!) in my car and Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, NKOTB, Colbie Calliat & The Jonas Brothers in my CD player in the living room. sometimes all i want to do is play games and then other times i just want to watch movies.

i am watching Desperate Housewives on DVD and keith and i are watching The Unit (on DVD) together.

i have to have candy while scrapbooking - my favorites: M&M's & Robin Eggs.

i used to hate being alone and now I enjoy it SO much.

i used to love talking on the phone and now i dread it.

i used to think i didn't like doing laundry just because i didn't like it. now i've realized that doing laundry isn't the problem it's putting all those folded clothes away that i hate. when you don't have a place for something it gets old quick.

i thought once we were back into our own place that i would have a place for everything - how wrong was i!

i've realized that i don't enjoy cooking. i used to think that was because i didn't like having to clean up but now i know its just that i don't enjoy cooking.

as much as i don't like to cook - i LOVE to eat.

i actually enjoy working out - i'm just too lazy to set aside time to do it.

the most comments i've ever gotten on a post was 23 - that post was I am a Rock. i got 22 comments on my post on Alzheimer's. but my average amount of comments i would assume is actually about 3. i don't really know for sure i haven't counted. maybe sometime when i'm bored and i've found my calculator i'll actually get a real number for that fact. ????

I'm going to post this now but when and if I have some more time I might add to this list!

i can't stand the taste of Starbucks brewed coffee (at Starbucks or any one's home) but they are my favorite for espresso.
my ultimate "topping" for pizza, pasta or salad is artichoke hearts. i LOVE them. they are beyond delicious. lately I would rather have artichoke hearts than chocolate!
i immensely enjoy running a screw gun!
i like being able to do things that people think only guys should do.
i think everyone should learn how to drive a stick shift.
i plan on making my kids learn how to drive on a stick shift.
my favorite sport is volleyball. i would love to have an outdoor sand volleyball court in our back "40". actually not the back "40" but closer to the garage and pump house.
i love having people over to my house but i'm a basket case before they show up because i'm never prepared and i'm always frantically cleaning until the moment they get here.
my favorite book in the Bible is James
i don't like taking naps because i feel tired and "out of it" for the rest of the day after i've taken one but if i really needed to take a nap the best kind only lasts about 20 minutes!
i admit to being a comment slut!
i LOVE to make people laugh.
even though who i am as a person revolves around humor and sarcasm i would rather watch an action/adventure movie than a comedy.
i get headaches frequently and i'm very tired of it. it blows my mind when someone tells me they never get headaches. i can't imagine a life without headaches but oh how i wish i could. i have one right now!
i always wished my parents had had more kids. i've always wanted a brother. seth won't let me claim him as my brother but i treat him that way anyway. its fun annoying the heck out of him like i assume a little sister would.
though i find it a bit hokey and weird, the minute i saw keith for the first time i said out loud to myself, "that's the man i'm going to marry". i have no explanation for this - it's just the truth. odd, huh?
i really, really, really love my husband and enjoy spending time with him. i love that he gets me and that he lets me be myself and that he lets me believe that he thinks i'm as funny as i think i am!

Thanks Tank #10

2008-05-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

Thursday Thanks Tank

Alright, so I started off this day with great intentions of being thankful, thankful, thankful. And for the most part of the day I was just that. And then "this evening" hit. And now I'm beyond tired and not feeling very thankful for anything. So I'm going to list all the things that I am thankful for in this moment. Right here, right now! I must warn, you that know me well, will tend to think that I am being sarcastic about some of these things but I'm not. The things I am thankful for in this moment are:

leftovers - it was great not having to cook dinner tonight. at least dinner twice, I took my friend and her family dinner which leads me to my next thankful thought.
new babies - my roommate from Ecola, who lives up here in Washington now, had her third baby yesterday. he is gorgeous and adorable.
dental floss
emotional control - i made it back to MOPs, after quite a lengthy absence, today. it was crazy the number of new babies there were and how many moms are pregnant. i'm thankful that i was able to stay calm and sane and emotionally detached from it all.
peace and quiet - while trying to dish up everyone's dinner and get the girls homework finished up and give my husband some attention it became glaringly apparent that I needed a time out. i'm thankful that I was able to walk into the spare bedroom with my cold leftovers and shut the rest of the world out and try and concentrate on thankful thoughts.
flannel pajama bottoms - need I explain this?
great hair days - again, I don't think any explanation is needed!
humor & sarcasm - I'd die without both!
a phone call from an old friend - my friend isn't old, I've just known her a long time. 15 1/2 years to be exact. I've actually probably done more with this friend in terms of traveling and hanging out then any other friend (minus sisters and mom) I have. i hadn't spoken with her in over two years when she called me out of the blue this past weekend. it was wonderful to hear her voice and chat with her. i'm thankful for the possibility of that renewed friendship.
patience and servitude - this weekend my husband fell and badly sprained his ankle. it really has been an eye opener to me regarding all that he had to do for me when I did the same thing a couple of years ago right before Christmas. this ended up leading to surgery for me to repair torn tendons and I'm so thankful for all of the people who helped when I initially injured myself and then when I had my surgery.
summer vacation - after the evening I had I'm not sure why this appeals to me SO MUCH, but i'm so excited that the girls last day of school is June 13th! that thrills me to pieces. i suppose it could be just because i can sleep in but i'm very much looking forward to june 14th - no phone calls till after 10:00am please!
starbucks - after jonesing for a coffee - ALL DAY - i'm really thankful to be drinking my favorite - an iced venti x-tra caramel, x-tra ice, caramel macchiato!
TV on DVD - i can watch it when i want for as long or as short as I want and can pause - yeah!
planned family time - we've made plans to work more on our NYC/DC pictures this weekend. i'm really looking forward to that!
my kisa - who is patiently waiting for me to get over my temper tantrum and who already put our girls to bed and will forgive me when I apologize - I've been blessed beyond measure!

My verses for this week are I Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Thanks Tank #9

2008-04-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

As always, I have many things to be thankful for and like I said last week I'm trying to slowly jump out of my "predictable box". Let's see what has touched my heart this week and please take time today to think on things that have made your heart thankful as well. I would love for you to share them with me! My thankful verse for this week is II Corinthians 2:14, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Technology and all that it affords - I've said it before and I'm sure that I'll say it again but I am so thankful for the opportunity to keep in contact with people through "blogland". The other day as I was visiting a couple different blogs I started clicking on the NEXT BLOG link that is in the bar that runs across the top of your blog at blogspot.com. I couldn't even tell you how many blogs I went through before finding one that was actually written in English. As I scanned the blog I was amazed to realize that this blog was from a newly married couple who were serving as missionaries in Haiti. Over and over again they talked about their desire to show the people they were working with the love of the Lord and what a difference He can make in their lives. It seemed to fit perfectly with my 'thankful verse' for this week. I've also added a cluster map to my blog page and it amazes me the different states and countries and continents that have access to my blog.
Moving boxes - This is a bit of a stretch for me but I'm really trying to be thankful for the moving boxes that are crammed into every nook and cranny in my house and blocking walkways to and from rooms. It's definitely been an eye opener that we have so much more than we need and, even at times, than we want.
Independent children - We have had some sickness this week at the house and it is very nice to have children that are old enough to leave unattended while I take a nap or spend a couple of hours outside helping to build our back deck. (Not that I'm opposed to having dependent children - just saying I'm thankful in this moment for kiddo's who can fend for themselves for awhile.)
Birthdays - and the chance they give to celebrate those special people in our lives!
Photographs - I love taking pictures and then spending hour upon hour looking back over them. This past weekend my sisters and mom and I spent time going thru our NYC/DC pictures and deciding which ones we wanted printed to put into books (since printing 2000 pics isn't very cost effective). I've also started getting some of my older photos from before digital out of the diaper boxes they've been inhabiting and into photo-safe boxes. The fact that they are in diaper boxes will give you a clue as to how old these pictures are. It's so much fun looking back. I've even decided that at some point I'm going to post pictures of us with each of our blogging "buddies". Since I've known some of you for quite some time - these pictures could definitely lead to some serious laughter!

Back up, I think she's gonna blow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AGAIN!!!!

2008-04-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

And again and again and again!

Poor thing was kept up Monday night by her puking sister but gets herself up and ready for school the next morning without complaining or incident (and without much help from Mom who was up much of the night). She rides the bus to and from school all by herself, which she really doesn't like to do w/o her sister. She brings home her sisters school work. She does two pages of homework and reads for 45 minutes. She was able to watch some Scooby Doo with her sister and have Top Ramen for dinner - a favorite of the girls. It's off to bed for the both of them. Before I head to bed Sammy has already been up using the restroom 3-4 times. I should've known that didn't bode well. Sure enough, I'd only been asleep for about 20 minutes the first time Sammy came into the bedroom saying her stomach hurt really bad. Once again we try out the Pepto. It only takes another 30 minutes till we see that again. And once again, Anah is the go-between coming to get me each time Sammy is throwing up. We didn't fair as well last night as the night before. Sammy was puking about every 20-30 minutes until 3:30 or so. If she was up after that, I don't know. No one came and got me. I got out of bed about 7:30 this morning thinking, I don't hear the girls up at all. Anah should be getting ready for school by now. I walk into their bedroom and she is sound asleep with her alarm blaring right by her head. It's been going off for 30 MINUTES! She is so tired this morning and very grumpy about the fact that Sammy kept her up all night and now is sleeping in while she has to go to school. Where is the fairness in that? I totally agree with her.

Round 2

2008-04-22T23:49:00.000-07:00

More pictures from Times Square of Janeen, my mom and myself.

Thanksgiving Day in Central Park!

Posing in Central Park!

Riding the Double-Decker tour buses was a lot of fun. The view is so incredibly different. But it was so freezing cold up there that finally I couldn't take it any longer and ended up down below where I proceeded to take a little nap!

Sweetened through the ages just like wine!

2008-04-22T23:16:00.000-07:00

I just happen to have my sister's computer which just happens to have half of our pictures from our trip this past fall to New York City and Washington DC. I've always meant to post more stories and pictures but with my own computer being down and the craziness of the holidays and our remodel project just never got around to it. So this past weekend us girls got together to go through our pictures because in this day and age of digital photography most of our pictures are in one of two places - our cameras/SD cards or our computers. As we spent time going over all of our pictures and reliving some of our adventures, I think it was pretty unanimous that we would go back in a heartbeat! And what took us so long to go in the first place? So enjoy the few photos and be thankful that I can only post a limited amount of pictures per post. We had, between the four of us girls, over 2,000 pictures.

Mom and I on our first full day in New York. We spent much of this rainy day seeing the island from the water. We took a 3 hour cruise with Circle Line. Their sense of humor was strongly lacking. No one even cracked a smile when us girls got on the boat singing about a 3 hour tour (a 3 hour tour).

My baby sister, Rene', with her favorite Today show host, Ann Curry. (We were actually on TV!)

Rene', myself and my mom taking pictures in Times Square!

Yeah, that's me with Bon Jovi!!!
Well the wax model of Bon Jovi, anyway!
We had a blast going through Madame Tussauds!

I should've known!

2008-04-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Really, I should have known! I'm not sure why the puke covering the hallway floor and throw rug was my first clue. The signs had been there all day long!
Monday morning started out like most other Mondays - mAd!!!! Samantha decided to turn the shower on and let the water warm up before she got in. But she didn't get in for almost 10 minutes. Both the girls come running into my bedroom, where I am still blissfully sleeping away. They're 7 3/4 and 9 - they can pretty much manage in the morning w/o my supervision. And a rested Momma is a happy Momma! Anyway, the tub is almost 2/3's full of water but they hadn't plugged it so they were all panicky about what was going on. I'm trying to wake up and figure out what they are talking about. I rush to the bathroom to make sure we aren't about to flood the bathroom floor. This is when I realize both the girls still have their pj's on. Why is this I ask? The shower is running - someone should have been in here. Sam says - I was letting it warm up. By the time Anah gets in the shower - ice cold water!!!! And mAd MoNdAY has started! Samantha then dumps her bowl of cereal all over herself, the table, the chair and the floor. I don't do well with these kind of things. I try to keep my patience and bite my tongue and don't say anything while I clean up the mess and she changes clothes. She is extremely apologetic and keeps crying about the situation. I'm trying to show "mercy" but really I just want to yell. I tell her - it was an accident lets move on.
I enjoy the time, while my girls are in school, at my parents house going through New York and DC pictures with my Mom. We have a really nice day! I leave to pick up the girls and head to a Dr's appt for Sam. Right away something is a little fishy with her. Her attitude appears fine but her breath is so stinky and smelly that I can smell her from some distance away. I check her teeth, they look fine. Has she been brushing twice a day? YES! Okay, have a piece of gum. WOW! I can still really smell that breath. Maybe we should talk to the doctor about this. That would be good Mom. While we are waiting for Dr. Husarik to come in and take a look at the wart on her foot she starts complaining of a stomachache. Do you need to go to the bathroom? No, my stomach just hurts. Okay. She did incredibly well while having her wart froze off. No tears, no flinching. Dr. Husarik was thoroughly impressed and kept telling her what a great job she was doing. He even thought there was a possibility that even though it was so big that he might have got it all with one "dose" because she let him "burn" it for so long! I'm very proud of how well she has done so instead of suckers from the dr's office we head to Wendy's for a frosty! Yum! From there I need to pick up a few things at Walmart. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!
I swear the minute we walked through those doors a monster entered my child. The whining, complaining, arguing with me and her sister, the moodiness, the tears, tears and more tears were almost more than I could handle. It didn't help when Savanah started playing with her Frosty that was only half way finished and ended up dumping the cup and all onto the floor! CLEAN UP ON AISLE 9 - CLEAN UP ON AISLE 9!!! At this point, I have literally forgotten everything I needed to purchase at Walmart but I knew I had at least a dozen items on my list. All that is in the cart is a gallon of milk and two bags of frozen tater tots, which weren't on the list. I'm trying to collect my thoughts and sanity, I might add. What was on that stupid list? As we walk thru the aisles trying to spark some recollection of what I needed, Sam trails behind me crying and fighting with her sister. What is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this? I can't believe the way you are behaving! What is going on? At this point, I am almost in tears myself. Isn't shopping with the kids supposed to get easier the older they get? How could have I been so misguided on this issue? That's it - it's homework, dinner and bed for you the minute we get home. Lots, lots more tears!
We stop and pick up KFC/Taco Bell on the way home. By the time, homework and dinner is over it's almost 8:00pm. Bedtime! That's great, I'm so glad we got you in bed early! ARGH!!!!!
All is well, finally. My hubbie and I are watching TV together enjoying the silence of upset children. We head to bed - him long before me. At 3:00am I hear a little voice say, Mommy my tummy hurts really, really bad. I'm so sorry I woke you up. It's okay baby. Let's find the pepto. Do you need a puke bucket? Yes. Have you went to the bathroom? Just got done, but my tummy stills really hurts. 20 minutes later she's tucked back in bed with a towel covering her pillow, a bowl next to her head in case she has to barf and instructions that if she can, she should try and make it to the toilet to throw-up!
And this is how I come to find myself staring at the vomit covering the hallway floor and throw rug in between the girls bedroom door and the bathroom door at 4am this morning. Why aren't you using your bowl, Sam? I thought I could make it to the bathroom. Let's get you cleaned up.
My precious baby is still sleeping on the floor of my bedroom in her Daddy's old sleeping bag. I can't even count how many times she apologized to her Daddy and I for waking us up. What a sweetheart!

I should have seen that throw-up coming from about 21 hours away!!!!!

Thursday Thanks #8

2008-04-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Thursday Thanks Tank

Once again, here are just a few of the things that I am thankful for this week. Sometimes I feel like the list is just a repeat over and over again of the same things. So I am going to try thinking outside of the box starting with this post. Now I won't jump out of the box completely today but maybe eventually you might find me there.

1. Typing - I am so thankful for the typing classes I took in high school and for my ability to type. I think that if I was a "pecker" at the keyboards I would give up on this whole blogging thing and emailing thing, which would mean I'd miss out on keeping in contact with so many people. So a big huge thanks goes out to my two typing teachers - Mr. Santi and Mr. Pagett, for making me the mad typer that I am today!

2. Soccer - I am thankful for both the BEGINNING and the ENDING of soccer season. Since this was the first time either of the girls have played any sort of sport it has been a complete learning process for us. I think that the girls have enjoyed it for the most part; Sammy probably more than Anah. I also think that more soccer is definitely in our future. But as we are gearing down on our last week of soccer, I can't help but feeling big relief that at least for a little while we won't have any practices or games to be rushing off to 2 - 3 times a week.

3. Opinions - So often as I am talking with my girls about inconsequential things, I find myself ignoring or not even paying attention to some of their opinions. I guess I've gotten this "I'm the Mom" complex going on and so I've really started trying to pay better attention to what they are saying and what they are trying to tell me. I'm thankful that God has made each one of us uniquely and given us different thoughts and opinions. I'm also thankful for the people in my life, especially when I was young, who took the time to listen to MY opinions and didn't crush all my little girl dreams. I'm also thankful that my girls have been forgiving when I haven't responded the way I should and that I'm getting a second chance to support them and their dreams while they are still little.

4. Understanding - I'm thankful for the understanding of friends. One of my closest friends, who was my maid of honor, called me this week to see if we would be available for company this next week. Since we really would love to see their family I told her sure, knowing that it really wasn't the most opportune of times. She called me back a couple days later and said that she just really got the feeling that it wasn't what was best for us at the time and we could post-pone. I'm so thankful that she was open to postponing and that I could be honest with her without hurting her feelings. Her response was very encouraging and loving, she said we've been friends for a long time and went through many things together. We should be able to tell each other if something isn't going to work out and know the other person won't hold that against us. It was wonderful having a number of conversations with her this week and getting caught up on each other's lives.

5. Lazy days - I'm thankful for a number of the lazy days that I myself have enjoyed since moving into our home plus the couple of lazy days that we've spent together as a family. Now laziness is definitely a big problem of mine and I've really tried to keep up on my household "chores" since that is my "job". I'm thankful that my husband is so understanding on those days when he comes home and it's obvious that I've not done much. He is definitely a K.I.S.A!

6. Tax Day - I'm thankful that tax day has come and gone. I'm thankful for some very great advice from "the brother i never had" that let me go ahead and get my taxes done without having to purchase a second Turbo Tax when I couldn't find the first one I had bought. I'm thankful for my parents letting me come out on the 15th and borrow their computer when mine didn't want to co-operate with me. I'm thankful that we don't owe any money. I'm thankful that at least for the next ten months I don't have to worry about "TAX DAY"!

7. Back porch dreams - I'm thankful that I can see progress on our back porch and that the dream of a back porch is very soon going to become a reality!

8. Sanity - Sanity is highly overrated but I'm still doing all that I can to maintain at least some of mine! =) Luckily, in this absolutely crazy week of ours, I can confidently say that mine is still intact. I think?!?

My verse of thankfulness for this week is Colossians 2:6&7: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Blessings to you all!