Lazy Day

It was another day off from school today. Snow, ice and sleet were in our forecast. It did snow. There was sleet and possibly some ice on the roads. I don't know for sure, I didn't venture out! However, the snow didn't last but maybe 30 mins. and it didn't even fully cover the ground! What a bummer! Not that I wanted a blizzard, but I do enjoy watching the snow fall. Enough to play in would be nice. I guess. Maybe not. It's cold!

They boys and I hung out here around the house and enjoyed playing, reading and getting things done. I love days like this! I don't have to have a snow day to be able to be lazy, but it makes me feel like it's okay for some reason! Anyway, I sure was thankful.

The boys loved the big "fort" we made out of chairs, blankets, etc. filled with pillows, stuffed animals, blanket, books and of course flashlights. (Oh, Man! I forgot to take a picture!!!) Hmm..... snow is in the forecast for Friday! Maybe we'll build another "fort" and have another lazy day! Could I be so lucky???

Changes

I really feel like our family is heading for some changes this year. I'm still not quite certain what God has in store, but I am ready to see what He brings.


Yes,I am still contemplating the whole homeschooling idea and have really been wavering back and forth. I don't feel that I have a peace either way just yet, so I continue to seek God's will for us in this matter.


Also,God is leading our church to start a new campus in our area. This will be the first multi-site campus with others to follow down the road. We currently drive 20-25 mins. to church. That may not seem like a whole lot to some, but it does keep us from being as involved as we'd like. With the expansion of starting a south campus we will be able to be much more involved. We had our "1st service" Christmas Eve. It was awesome!


Last night was a commitment service for those who feel called to help start this church plant in our area. We really feel that God is calling our family to be core participants in this new endeavor. I am really excited to see where He leads us and how He will open the doors in our community. We are still in the preparation/planning stages right now, but the plan is to begin services in September. I'll try to keep you posted on the progress.


Please join us in praying for us to be obedient to what God has planned for us in these new changes in our life.

New look

So, what do you think of the new look so far? I have some other changes I want to make, but am a little slow getting there. Hang with me.... and we'll see what I come up with. Any thoughts or suggestions are certainly welcome, even by my "quiet" viewers! It's easy to leave your thought/comments. Don't be shy!

Basketball

This is Nathan's 2nd year playing basketball. He's got a different team and coach this year. Although, I don't know if this is "his sport," he does fairly well and enjoys it. There is still so much for him to learn. He can be really hard on himself, he thinks he should play like a pro. His team is called the Hammerheads. They've won 3 games so far this season. Yesterday they played a really tough team. Coach told the boys at practice Friday night that the team they were going to play Saturday beat a team that beat then their first game 21-2 (or something sad like that). Well, the Hammerheads had a victory yesterday against the tough opponents! I was so proud of the team working hard and doing their best. It's been fun to watch how they've learned and applied the things that coach has been teaching them.

I caught last weeks game on video. I am going to see if Jason can help me figure out how to load that on here... don't worry, not all of it!

They won last week too.... 14-5 and Nathan got the MVP award for that game. He was pumped!

update

I thought I would just update to let you know how things are going with the subject of the possibility of homeschooling. I am still doing lots of thinking and praying. I've been reading and researching, talking to others and gathering information. I still don't have a decision nor do I know what I want that decision to be.

However, I can tell you that I can feel God moving and working in my heart and in Nathan's too! Nathan wasn't keen on the idea of homeschooling at all when I mentioned the possibility. Well, after discussing it with him a little and asking him to join us in praying about it.... he's totally for it! So much so, that he would start tomorrow if I gave the "green light." WOW!! Not what I had expected, but I'm not upset either! I've actually had some thoughts about how wonderful and exciting it could be! So, see God is at work!

Please continue to pray for us on this as we allow God to show us what He wants!

12 Years

Twelve years ago today I became Mrs. Jason ******! It's amazing to me that 12 years have flown by (some days it seems to have flown). I remember that wonderful day twelve years ago. It was one of the best days of my life. To be able to marry the man that God had chosen for ME was incredible. I remember the look on Jason's face and him mouthing the word, "WOW" over and over as he saw me coming down the aisle with my dad. It was PRICELESS! Our wedding day was so very special in so many ways.

One thing that made it truly special was having my dad not only give me away but marrying us too! Our wedding was such a worshipful experience. I could feel God's presence with us the whole time. Jason even sang to me at our wedding. Well, he had it recorded and we played the recording. I didn't know until he got in town for our wedding that he had done that. I was so excited! It was such an act of love... I couldn't believe he had done that!

Jason has always gone out of his way to make me feel special. I love that about him! Twelve years is a long time in some ways, but I am just excited to see what God has in store for us in the next twelve years and then some!

Jason: Thank you for loving me and for guiding our family in the way of the Lord! You are an incredible person, husband and father. I love you more and more each day! Even though these twelve years may not have all been exactly how we would have planned, I believe we are stronger today because of the things we have endured. I can't imagine not having you by my side every day and night. I thank God for giving you to me and for allowing me to be your wife! I love you!!

Nathan's Little Shadow

Ryan wants to be like his big brother so much! So after seeing that I put Nathan's artwork on the computer and seeing that someone commented, he got an idea! He certainly doesn't want to be left out.



So, while I was in our office, writing thank you notes and checking e-mail and such, Ryan was in the other room creating his masterpiece. He got some paper and crayons and when he was done he came to show me what he had created! He told me who they were and said he needed a pen. He wanted to write their names. So, we did! He told me I needed to post them on my blog. These are hot off the press!



Funny how we all kind of resemble one another, huh?! Gotta love it! Wow, 2 budding artists now! :)

After seeing this posted, Ryan started CRACKING UP, saying "Look at GrandBob. I gave him a big head." I was laughing too. Did he just now realize that??? Anyway... I said, "Yes, you did! Why did you give him a big head?" He said, "Cuz' he's big and he's smart. Really smart!"

Wow, my head isn't too big! Hmmm..... I didn't ask why!

Our Budding Artist

(I blocked out our last name and the name of his school -- security purposes)

Just take a look at our surprise yesterday! Nathan came home from school with a copy of the local paper from back in December. A girl I am on the PTO board with saw it and sent it home with him. I am so glad, because we don't get the paper so, we never would have seen it!

Several months back I got an e-mail stating that one of the local papers wanted children to send in artwork for the weather report. He could draw any type of weather picture he wanted. He chose a Sunny day. (For those of you who don't really know Nathan, it's hard to get him to draw something other than cars! I was shocked he wanted to draw a picture like this! I am so glad he did.) He worked hard on it and wrote all the info. on the back that they requested. It was my job to send it off in the mail. It took me a few days and him reminding me. I quickly saw how important it was to him. So, I addressed the envelope, put a stamp on it and stuck it in the mailbox. Then, honestly, I forgot about it! How sad, I know.

Yesterday he was SO pumped when he showed me. It made his day (and mine too!)

Thank you, God! We needed that little ray of sunshine!

Waiting on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord is so difficult sometimes. I know He always has our best interest at heart and His timing is perfect. In times of economic trouble there are many who are struggling financially, with their jobs (either not having one or fear of losing theirs), etc. Please be in prayer for my brother and his wife and 2 small girls. Last month my brother lost his job because the company filed bankruptcy. They walked to the doors to go to work and the place was shut down. Nice, huh? It was a mess! Anyway, this past Thurs. my SIL got a call that she was being let go. She was next in line since the company was downsizing. You can imagine the devastation that they must be feeling. I spoke with them Friday and they are in good spirits. They are in God's hands and know that He will take care of them. My brother had a really good interview Thurs. and hopes to hear something soon. Waiting on the Lord will sure test our patience, huh?!



"Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything." Philippians 4:6

I just read my Verse-a-day that I have posted on my blog page. How fitting for this situation too! (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Thinking about it and more

I've been thinking about it for quite sometime now, but that's about all I've done. Mainly b/c I start to panic when I think about it too much! However, I can't seem to get it off my mind. I am starting to prayerfully think it over and see what God thinks I should do. I guess I didn't really take it to Him before now, because I am kind of afraid what his answer might be. I KNOW I shouldn't feel this way, so I am taking the next step and going to be still and see where He leads, how He chooses.

There are so many questions I have about it all...... what am I talking about????? Homeschooling!! Yes, homeschooling. I have many reasons for even considering it and many more for not. Having a degree in education, you would think that it's a no-brainer. That is not my case. I have so much swirling around in my head and honestly I have no clue where to even begin.

So, as I begin to see what God thinks is best in this situation for our family, would you kindly consider praying for me on this? I sure would appreciate it!

Someone's in the kitchen.....

with Mommy! This past Monday, the last day of Nathan's Christmas break, the boys and I got in the kitchen to bake cookies. Nathan had asked the week prior if we could make some cookies with the BIG box of cookie cutters I had. So, I told him we would. I kept my promise.



I've always loved cooking and baking. I started making cookies by myself at age 9. My favorite was chocolate chip. I LOVED making them. By age 10 I was making dinner for my family. I wasn't forced or neglected to make my own meal, I WANTED to. Since I don't have girls to "train" to cook, I've secretly hoped that at least one of my boys would enjoy it like I have. So, I was excited at this endeavor of baking with my boys.



I got them both chairs and we got out all the ingredients. I read the recipe first and let them know that I was going to make a few changes to the recipe. Then, we got to measuring, mixing, cracking and pouring. They were taking turns and having fun. It was Ryan's turn to measure and pour in the sugar. I was trying REALLY hard to let them do it on their own (with only a little guidance.) That can be REALLY tough for me, but I am working on taking a back seat a little. So, he measured and I let go for him to pour the sugar in the mixing bowl ALL. BY. HIMSELF.



Care to take a guess as to what transpired???? If you guessed that he missed the bowl, you are partly correct. The other part is that most of it landed on the FLOOR! OOPS! Well, immediately, in my mind, I was thinking..... "yep, I should have done it myself!" BUT that is NOT what I verbalized. I said something to the effect of, "Oh, Ryan! Be careful! You have to watch what you are doing!" I knew it was an accident, but I still wasn't really happy, ya know!?! He immediately, looked at me and said, "Sorry, Mommy! I didn't mean to. I'm sorry, Mommy." I told him that it could be cleaned up and that we had more sugar to measure and pour, but that he needed to watch carefully and pay attention to what he was doing. I got out the broom, swept up the mound of sugar and started back to the mixing. *** Side note: Have you ever tried sweeping up a bunch of tiny grains of sugar? It's almost impossible to get it all up. So here I was standing in this light layer of tiny granules of sugar while trying to finish up the cookie dough.



So, after a BIG mess in the kitchen, I gave them each a ball of cookie dough and taught them how to flour, roll and cut with cookie cutters. Remember, I was baking with boys.... so we had to use "boy" cookie cutters! : ) They chose footballs and circles, for baseballs, and stars -- "All Stars." It took a few tries, but they got the hang of it. Then we popped them in the oven and I cleaned the kitchen.

Later that afternoon, while Ryan was napping, Nathan and I mixed up several colors of Royal Icing. We had a fun time decorating them and of course they had to eat one, even if it was too close to dinner!



I enjoyed this with so much, aside from a few "episodes." I hope we can do this together many more times.



Nathan's favorite part was EATING the cookies (and making them too, he said.)



Ryan's favorite part had to be the cookie dough, as in EATING it! I couldn't get him to stop! (By the way.... we didn't share any of the cookies that we made.... I didn't want to pass on the germs. I am telling ya.... he LOVES cookie dough! Hmmm.... wonder who he gets that from???? ;)

The finished product (and yes, I realize they don't look like basketballs, but that is how Nathan wanted them!)

"Oh, tooth fairy!"

Nathan lost his other bottom front tooth tonight. He permanent tooth was already popping through. He was so hesitant to get his baby tooth out. After a LOT of wiggling and distraction, we got it loose enough for Jason to pull it. Whew! What an ordeal! This one bled a lot more than the first one. I did realize one thing..... we need to stop trying to pull them out right at bedtime!

He is excited to have it out and says, "Gosh, it sure feels funny!" Oh, the joys of childhood! He thinks the tooth fairy will bring him $5 for this one or maybe $3. Is each tooth supposed to be worth little a more? Maybe the longer you have them, the more valuable they become???? Uh, seriously. It's a baby tooth. It's precious, yes, but that precious? Not. But then who am I to say, it's up to the tooth fairy, right?! ; )

Made with love

This year for Christmas, I decided to try something new with my sewing skills. I ventured into incorporating pictures and fabric and creating something special for a very special someone. I was so excited to get started and wanted everything to come together perfectly. I had to find the "right" fabric. It needed to be something that made me think of the special recipient of my handiwork. I finally found what I thought looked like her. I then began gathering the pictures. I didn't have photos of all my subjects, so I had to enlist some help.

It wasn't easy enlisting help and not sharing what exactly the pictures were for, but my little helpers came through for me! Then it was off to get my photos edited, tinted and printed. That took a few tries, but in the end I was satisfied and went home to lay it all out.

The tricky part of this project was trying to figure out how to get everything centered before I could assemble it all. I was down to the wire trying to get it finished so I could get it in the mail-- Before Christmas. Wouldn't you know it, I ended up with a horrible migraine, not that there is any other kind! I tried my hand at hand embroidery --- wow! That's all I'm going to say! So in 2 days, with a horrible migraine trying to get the final result to look somewhat decent, I got it done!

I was happy with the results, realizing that this was my first attempt and knowing that I don't do this for a living. I wrapped it up and got it ready to mail. That's when I realized that I missed a special little tag that I wished I had seen BEFORE I finished the sewing, wrapping and packing! It was a label that said, "Handmade with love!" That was my intent... for that to be the final outcome, no matter how it really turned out. I just wanted my Mom to know that this was made just for her with love, all my love!

All her grandchildren

To the dentist we go

UPDATE: Ryan's tooth will probably be just fine. We will just need to watch it closely and make sure it doesn't abscess. OOOH, how I sure pray that doesn't happen!

I am taking Ryan to the dentist tomorrow for him to check out one of Ryan's top front teeth. I noticed the week before Christmas that is was turning dark! I had to really examine my brain to try and think if he had done something to it. Well, if you know Ryan, he keeps us hoppin'. He is as sweet as can be, bless his heart! He just can't seem to keep from running into something, jumping off of something, banging into something, staying upright on both feet! We've often wondered if we needed to check and see if Children's Hospital in town has a "frequent flyer/visitor pass." Knock on wood, it's been almost a year since we've been to the ER! (I sure hope I didn't just jinx something!)

Anyway, after racking my brain, I remember that he had fallen (somewhere/somehow). It wasn't a major fall, obviously if I can't even remember the incident clearly. However, he hit just "right" and has done something to his tooth. It doesn't hurt, for which I am glad. I just hope everything is okay. We'll see what the dentist has to report in the morning!

A few more.... surprises!

The boys have loved being outside jumping on their trampoline. They don't care if it's hot/cold, sunny/cloudy/rainy, whatever.... they want to be jumping. It has been a lot of fun, if I do say so myself! It's tiring though!

Jason is now up and current.... he finally has a cell phone! People are always amazed to hear that he hasn't ever had one. Well, be amazed ....... he has one now! It was fun to surprise him with it!



One of my favorite surprises has been the gift of our Wii. It has been lots of interactive fun for all of us. Yesterday we had a family Wii tournament playing tennis, baseball and bowling. Nathan was the champ for tennis and bowling, but Jason beat us all at baseball.

Oh!... and I now have Photoshop. Jason came home the other night with a sweet card and inside were a bunch of threads!?! So, I had to ask.... hmmm..... "what are these?" That's when he replies, "Oh, those? Those are all the strings I had to pull to get you this!" (and he pulled out from behind his back.... Photoshop --- I'm telling you.... he's clever!). I am still trying to get the hang of it, Photoshop, that is. When I do.... you'll hopefully see some cool edited pictures!


We are just so thankful that we've been blessed with having the ability to enjoy these fun "things" together.

Surprises!!

This has seemed like a small season of big surprises around here. We love surprises, but sometimes they can be hard to pull off. Jason seems to be pretty good at it though, he always has!

Let'd start back with the surprise of my diamond/sapphire tennis bracelet he bought me when we were dating. I was shocked!

4 months later, he TOTALLY surprised me with an Engagement Ring!!! It was/is BEAUTIFUL.... more than I had EVER imagined!

He's even surprised me with a weekend getaway and kinapped me from school where I was teaching. It was an incredible weekend and he planned the WHOLE thing perfectly with out me knowing a thing! (My sister, my principal and assistant principal all knew, but nope, not me... had NO CLUE of any of it!) I didn't even know where we were going until we finally got there.

Then, not long after we moved here, he planned another weekend getaway. This one I knew we were going somewhere and that his cousin was keeping Nathan for us, but that was it. He created a "book" and I was sent on a hunt for the other pages. However, this wasn't just any hunt, it was interactive and pampering all at the same time! Let's put it this way..... he had set up a fun day for my friend and me to go shopping (a WHOLE new outfit and accessories), lunch, manicure and pedicure (for both my friend and me) and then had a limo waiting for me to take me to our hotel where he was waiting for me in our double suite --- I'm telling you, this guy has connections!

Anyways, it has always been fun to be the recipient of such fun surprises! Jason is so creative and thoughtful and I love him dearly.

So, this Christmas, he says he wants to see me REALLY exicted over his gift to me --- what did I want? Like I've ALWAYS told him.... it's not stuff that makes me REALLY happy. "You don't always have to try to out-do yourself and get bigger and better. I am not materialistic like that." Sure, don't get me wrong, it's nice to have nice things, but it doesn't "make ME." I can be content with what I have.

I had a few things on my list, but there wasn't any one BIG thing that I REALLY wanted. What I would like to have had, I just knew was not an option, so I didn't even put it on the list.

Well, I was surprised Christmas morning when I opened his gift to me ----- and it wasn't even on my list, but he KNOWS me! He knew I had no idea when I opened it and he was my reaction, just the reaction he was hoping for!

-- Yep, it's a Dell! :) and boy, do I love it! Thanks, honey!!!

I had a few surprises up my sleeve this Christmas too, but not to the magnitude of what he's done for me over the years! (hmmm..... maybe someday I can remedy that!)

Pokey Dinner

Thumbs up, it was the best!

So, have you ever had a Pokey Dinner? I'm not talking about the usual meal consisting of parents constantly "encouraging" their children to eat what is in front of them. You know the meal, where it should only take 20 mins., but they like to stretch it out to an hour!?! No, in this household a "Pokey Dinner" has a WHOLE new meaning. This is the term that Ryan has coined our special dinner on New Year's Eve.

I decided to try something very different with the boys and make it extra special night of fun for ringing in the New Year. So, I planned to have a fondue dinner --- now do you understand "Pokey Dinner?" You use the long fondue forks to "poke" the food, right? So, there you have it, from a 3 (almost 4) yr. olds perspective.... a Pokey Dinner! (Gotta love him!!! -- I certainly do!)

I cut up marinated chicken and vegetables and made a yummy broth for us to cook them in. I prepared a few dipping sauces too, but I knew Ketchup was the only dipping sauce for the boys. It's a staple in our house.... another vegetable! The only drawback to the dinner, is it took a little while to cook each bite, but we still had fun.

They boys could hardly contain themselves for Round 2 of our Pokey Dinner. They have a sweet tooth like their Daddy! I told them we would have Chocolate Mocha Fondue for dinner. Now, you must know that they both love coffee (they get that from their momma!) so, I decided Chocolate Mocha would be super yummy! (and it was by the way!)

We enjoyed Round 2 by dipping bananas, strawberries, red and green apple, oranges and marshmallows. You would have thought that they hadn't eaten for days! They loved it! They were covered in chocolate just about as much as the fruit we dipped. It was so much fun. So much so that they are now asking to have a Pokey Dinner every night. Last night, I told them that maybe we should make it a special dinner once a month. They thought that was great, but then tried to convince me that once a week would be better! So, now I am off planning our menu for our next Pokey Dinner.

I am loving these fun times, creating special memories!