Us

I'm Back

2009-08-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

Having trouble still finding a photoblog that will post larger pictures that I take with my camera. I have somewhat given up and am going to begin posting again with the crappy blogger templates. Sorry if the current pics are dumb and stretched or whatever it is they are doing....

until then...

Grandma....forever loved....

2009-06-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

My Grandma passed away several weeks ago and although funerals can be very sad, we felt somewhat celebratory as she was 98 years old and suffering from dementia and discomfort..we also celebrated because it brought us all together again...

my mom and dad

our immediate family...my brothers and sisters and all of their kids (I only added two kids to this brood I might add...

my family and my dad's two brothers and their families

Fun at John and Beth's

2009-06-04T19:03:00.001-07:00

Matt loving on Mimi

Chris Botti and Architecture make me think of Heaven.

2009-06-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

We went to Chicago in May to see Chris Botti perform at the historical Chicago Theatre.
There were moments in that concert that I honestly felt like those scenes from The Matrix.
The ones where the bullets fly through the air and time almost completely stops but not all the way...you know which ones I'm talking about?
I wasn't to jazzed up about this trip; it was going to be hectic; mother's day weekend, hard time finding childcare for the kids, lots of driving, very little sleep....
But those moments listening to several of the most acclaimed musicians in the world...brought a Matrix moment for me...
I didn't breathe for several seconds at a time and all I could think of is that when I get to heaven, that music ...that is all I'll want to do. I'm sure of it...listening for hours.
It's hard to get excited about going to concerts; partly because I studied it for far too many years....but I have made a new commitment to seek out great music and find it and ENJOY it.

And of course, we stayed at the historic Palmer House Hilton.
Amazing.
I loved the light fixtures and this brass window lock.
And of course, the world famous lobby...

Oh, yeah, and 15 years of marriage to Matt is kinda cool too.
That is why we were there...
We are going to Hawaii next summer for our REAL celebration..
but a night listening to Chris Botti live, almost beats Hawaii....

Catching Up...Glimpses of Spring in Atlanta...Florida Trip

2009-05-31T08:32:00.001-07:00

Here is a little glimpse of spring from our visit to my cousin Aaron's condo in Atlanta.
We had a really really great time with them...

It was refreshing to catch up with them and realize what great friends we would be if we lived closer and the importance of keeping in touch now.....

Then below are some fun ones of our time in Florida with Grandpa and Grandma...

I really hate blogger...have no idea why it is deciding to underline my font...this is exactly why I kinda avoid blogging...I get soo frustrated...oh well..

Older.

2009-05-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

I turned 36 last Friday and I see myself in pictures and wonder where the time has gone. I was alone in my kitchen and pretending to be some model but all I ended up with was a wrinkly top lip. This is me in my 36 year old glory. But you know, there are some really great things about getting older:

1. I don't worry about dumb stuff as much
2. I love Matt in a much much deeper way.
3. I don't worry about money nearly as often
4. I don't change diapers OR buckle carseats anymore.
5. I have a deeper appreciation for the institution of the family by enjoying mine soo much as they begin to feel and think and have opinions of their own
6. I have a deeper and greater respect for my mom and dad.
7. My boobs have gotten bigger as I've aged....that's a plus
8. I've conquered a mammogram
9. I've set some really important goals and met them.
10. I feel more inclined to meet the ones I haven't met as an urgency of time comes upon one when they age.
11. I don't expect as much out of life in a good way.

Its been a really really good 36 years.

Tulips

2009-04-24T16:07:00.001-07:00

Had to go next door and take pics of these.

We got some bad news regarding a family member's health tonight.

Taking pictures of these perfect tulips...

made me remember our Perfect Creator.

He made these out of an ugly looking onion-like bulb.

And holds our dear Grandpa Dave in the palm of His hand.

A Quiet spot...

2009-04-24T09:54:00.001-07:00

I needed some quiet.

It's wierd that you don't know you need it till it comes.

And then, it washes over you and you can....breathe.

I've really longed to hear God lately.

He's seemed too quiet.

I prayed off and on for the distance to shorten between us.

And in walks this chair.

I was making coffee (eight 0'clock columbian my new and cheap fave)

and noticed a flurry of cars just past the cul-de-sac.

I HATE garage sales.

But I know the lady who was doing this one and she is a CLEAN freak.

I mostly hate garage sales because of a small issue with germs.

(some of you recall a couch someone took from the side of the road that was infested with lice.)

Anyway, I thought as I grabbed my checkbook and ran out the door how silly it was to walk in with checks. I never buy things at garage sales!

And then I saw it.

Beth had a rocker like this from Sams and I recall going back SEVERAl times to try to get one.

I love upholstered rocking chairs.

This one:

~perfect condition

~pottery barn

~rocked only babies in and then hardly ever sat it

~neutral

~slip-coverable

~most importantly: REALLY COMFY and only FIFTY BUCKS.

I pulled out my checkbook, wrote the check and this warm spring morning have sat quietly in it listening to birds, feeling the breeze, reading, drinking from my FAVE mug bought at a newly rediscovered awesome store called Anthropologie.

And as always, my favorite quiet partner by my side.

Yesterday was one of those wierd days that make you want to crawl under a rock and never again have to face people and the world.

But today, my chair, my dog, my mug, God's breeze, and His spirit quietly refreshed me.

Here's to non-lice-infested-50 buck-garage-sale-serenity.....

Busy Bee

2009-04-18T13:03:00.000-07:00

I feel a lot like this guy right now.

a busy busy busy bee.

He literally moved from one flower to the next

so quickly I had trouble keeping up.

He has a big job, you know.

Helping to keep this Azelia coming back next year.

I think at times he must feel a lot of pressure.

I know I do.

It is hard to keep serenity with so many people counting on you.

But.

I am sure, this bee doesn't think about his task.

He just does it.

Do you think bees grumble?

I kinda doubt it.

Anyway.

Just a thought.

Beautiful Singing

2009-04-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

This little guy was singing away in my tree out front.

It was such a happy song and so carefree.

I decided my day needed to mirror his.

To live life not worrying about the next anything...the next paycheck,

the next job, the next "good time", the next anything.

Here's to carefree songs on a carefree spring day.

New camera...

2009-04-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

We went ahead and purchased a Nikon D40. I am thrilled with it.

Here are a few of my favorite things and people and of course,

my favorite animal in the entire world.

He's leaving...I'm happy...I'm sad

2009-02-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

My brother is a great person.

He is a great friend.

He is a constant source of stability in my life.

The effects of the economy were one of the reasons Matt and I left Michigan.

Now my brother is the next one.

He is an Acoustical Engineer with General Motors and has been

trying to get out for some time now.

He did it.

He will be working at a company who makes hearing aids.

He is thrilled with the idea of using his knowledge and talent to help other people.

He is excited.

However...he has lived in Michigan all his life, only 30 minutes from my parents.

All 41 years of it.

And now he is moving here:

Colorado Springs, Colorado.

And although it is a 22 hour drive,

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

Sure beats Clarkston, Michigan.

But today, I am thrilled for him and their new life but will miss him like crazy.

I love him and hate that he'll be so far away.

But I am thankful God has provided a great job and a beautiful place to live...

We will see each other a little less but am thankful for things like

FACEBOOK!

Blogs!

CellPhones!

They make the leaving much easier...

Anyway. Just wanted to get that off my heart.

For Carin...

2009-02-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

Spending lots more time here lately. Sometimes you just can't sleep after a long day at work. And whenever I'm laying there soaking it in....I think of Carin and the hundreds or maybe even thousands of baths she has taken in her lifetime.

And while I'm laying there...I'm also reading this, taking deep breaths and giving it all to God, reciting the entire "Serenity Prayer":

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.

Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it.

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Anyone want some serentity?

I'll loan out my bathtub for free.....

Florida on the way....and the financial crisis understood

2009-02-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

This background change is to celebrate that I am leaving for Florida to visit my mom and dad in 37 short days. It is how I survive the rest of the winter. Counting down the dreary days to paradise. Sorry for the blog silence. Just been so busy working that its either blogging or facebook and facebook has been my computer "crack" of choice lately.

Something really getting to me lately is the financial crisis. We moved here from Michigan almost three years ago and left the "financial mess" in that state hoping to escape it by moving to Indianapolis - the land of what seemed like financial stability and growing economies. Neighborhoods being built on every corner, new strip malls everywhere, brand new elementary schools and on and on. HOWEVER. Things have changed. Big time. Now we have empty houses everywhere (even brand new ones), and houses selling in our neighborhood for much less than they sold for three years ago. It is funny because Matt and I are beginning to say..."Hey, does this remind you of Michigan three years ago?" Anyway, got on a friend's blog this a.m. that had these videos posted of how to understand what has REALLY happened in this mess (former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is partly indited in it). It is a FUN to watch, interesting video that will leave you feeling like a smarty pants using words like Sub Prime Market, Collateral Debt Obligations and on and on. Enjoy and let me know what you think. I had trouble downloading the actual videos so these are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0zEXdDO5JU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhDkZjKBEw&feature=related

See ya....

WORK WORK WORK

2009-01-27T18:47:00.001-08:00

Winter brings lots of things.

One new thing it has brought last year and this is A LOT of work.

I am grateful for the money.

I am grateful for the opportunity.

Iam thankful to be doing something that I love MOST of the time.

HOWEVER.

I miss being the stay at home mom.

I miss not having to stress if my kids are sick....just call the school and tell them they're not coming and fire up the chicken noodle soup. Now its...crap. I can't call now. It's too late. How sick are they? Can someone take care of them and not get their family sick? How long could she survive at school with Motrin? Can Matt skip that meeting?....noo....not really. etc. etc. etc. etc.

I miss looking forward to snow days and two hour delays.....just sleep in, make a fire, play games and invite neighbors over for hot chocolate. Now its...crappity crap crap crap. Where can I farm them out where they can get on the bus here in the neighborhood for that hour between when I leave and when they get on the bus.....Who can watch them all day and have two more kids in their house while they are suffering from their OWN version of cabin fever....and on and on and on.

I miss looking forward to winter dinners. I love to cook in the winter. But when you roll in around 5:30 or 6:00....you start to dig for those Chick-fil-a coupons or nuggets from the freezer...

Granted. This isn't forever. A lot of it goes away come May. BUT in the meantime, I have to know that others would kill for the security of a little extra money to stash away or just to survive off of. I need to be thankful. And I am. Just missing that designation....the one I never thought I'd be:

Stay-at-home-mom.

Surviving Winter.....Cupcakes and Cardinals...

2009-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

I am surviving winter....barely.

I am finding myself popping Vitamin D and watching the weather reports like crazy. So, anyway, this week was the first week back from Christmas vacation which is always a toughie for me mentally but i was thankful it was a week without any work. So, I started on some of my lists of things to do that I was looking forward to. In between my to do lists I found myself wasting time on the computer (I know, what a shock!) and found this blogger who lives here in the Indy area and who also follows some blogger friends of mine from Michigan...I know, small world. Anyway, she had a post about this wonderful cupcake shop here in Indianapols called "The Flying Cupcake". To see her gorgeous post click here and scroll down the page until you find the post called "The Flying Cupcake". She has one of those big, fancy cameras that can actually do justice to this very cool, fun, happy little shop. Here are some pics of mine but really go feast your eyes on hers. When I did, I called my friend Pam and said "Hey, instead of boring old Starbucks, lets go get happy and eat some cupcakes!" I needed the charm of this cheery little shop to break me out of my winter blues and it did the trick. The cupcakes were amazing and the atmosphere very mid-May like.

Pam.....eating a coconut cream filled one.
Something I actually look FORWARD to about winter is bird watching.

Some of you know I love feeding winter birds and this morning while Matt was at church, Evalee and I sat and watched birds for about 30 minutes. It was a precious time, and we had fun. I tried to catch some pics of some of the birds using my digital zoom but do I have to say it again....my camera SUCKS. But here they are anyway....

A Male Cardinal above and below.
This is a red-bellied woodpecker and although his head is red it is NOT a red-headed woodpecker. Those are actually quite rare and hard to find.

When I clicked the picture he turned and looked at me!

This is a little Junco hidden in my wisteria vines...

My sweet little bird-watching partner:

What do you do to survive winter?

"Left Behind"

2009-01-08T06:48:00.001-08:00

So far, from our trip to Ohio and Michigan we left these things behind in three different locations:

A camera charger in Amherst, Ohio,

A pair of brand new jeans, brand new Wii game, brand new shirt in Flushing, Michigan,

A Sweater jacket and recyclable Target bag in Spring Arbor Michigan,

And a coat in Union Lake, Michigan.

Money has been sent to all four locations to send back the crap we left everywhere.

When I go somewhere locally, I never leave behind my purse or keys,

I never leave a dish when I take food somewhere,

never leave my coat at a friends house,

not usually beach towels or goggles at someone's pool,

But if I spend the night at your house,

My brain resets.

I won't remember what I've brought, and what I've packed and what got put where.

I'm going to start leaving 10 dollar bills on my pillow when I stay somewhere to pay for shipping stuff I've left.......

So, all that to say,

Until Aunt Wee Wee sends back the camera battery charger.

There will be no new posts with pictures......

A Mid-Winter High....

2009-01-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

all of this...

at Target.

90% off.

5 rolls of wrapping paper

2 twiggy trees that i have been eyeing for a long time.

2 boxes of pancake mix

1 bottle of sprinkles...(I know. I'm obsessed.)

2 Victoria Hagen pillows for holiday fun

2 boxes of Choxie chocolate (my favorite!)

ALL FOR.....

$12.82

Man, last night I thought I might be high. It felt great. Took the edge off the gloomy weather.

Here's to bargains.....

hopefully today

2009-01-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

All our pics are on Chloe's camera and we can't find the battery charger....

this is the story of anything in our lives right now.

But today, Matt is back to work, the girls are in school and I'm tackling this to do list like it or not.

New post coming......as soon as my detective skills kick in.

Family+Time Off = Relaxed

2008-12-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

We are at Matt's sisters until early tomorrow morning then off to Michigan to my sisters house in Spring Arbor to have Christmas with all of my family. I am really looking forward to hanging with my sisters tomorrow. I have grown to see them as deep and loving friends that I can count on. The best part about tomorrow is,....hardly any presents. We made a family decision just to stop the madness and cut back and I am SOOO glad. I am not worrying about where to put toys this year and crap that my mom buys at some flea market in Florida....

I am getting ready to face the new year with hope and anticipation and mostly a desire to get off sugar again and CLEAN OUT MY CLOSETS AND OR DRAWERS AND OR CUPBOARDS. I have to admit, I am praying for no work even though this time of year I work a lot but two weeks to just get me back in order would be delicious.

So, here I am on a sunny Sunday morning, in my sister-in-law's kitchen, on my nieces macbook plotting my to do list for the new year. I know this doesn't seem like relaxation to you but it is fun and exciting for me to think about.....I am so sick in the head...

Pictures soon to follow. We forgot our cable to upload them from our cameras.....

Going to see many of you soon and I am really looking forward to it..

And hello. My blog IS the cutest on the block I think....

...I mean I'm just sayin'....I am pretty awesome....my copy and paste skills just amaze me......

The Six Service Marathon

2008-12-23T19:51:00.000-08:00

It's 10:53

I have not wrapped one single present.

I just got home from rehearsal for our christmas eve services.

Let me count the times:

10:30 12:00 1:30 3:00 4:30 6:00

How silly is that.

Matt and I must be there at 8:30 and prob. won't get home til around 7:30 ish tomorrow night, where my mother-in-law will have pizza waiting.

Then we have all of our Christmas eve traditions to squeeze in before bed and then you know what happens after bed.....Santa....Santa is so much work but the magic is worth it.

I'm so tired already.

Between services I plan on taking my journal and journaling memories of Christmas as a child and trying not to think about all of the work I have to do Christmas Eve evening and cooking I have to do all day Christmas day.

So...

The Christmas Eve Service Marathon starts tomorrow.

Wish me luck.

And that I'm still nice by noon on Christmas day.

Until then,

Merry Christmas....

Celine. OH. MY. WORD.

2008-12-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

I'm really kind of speechless about Celine.
She was incredible.

I don't even really like her that much but there is something about watching her.

She is over the top corny.

I posted the above video so you could see for yourself.

What is that wierd Samurai move with the microphone at the end?

But....don't you love it!?

It was a complete blast and yes, that is me screaming in the video at the end. I couldn't help myself. I was enamored. Completely enamored. Shamlessly enamored. I'm thinking about turning into Celine Dion.

And thanks to my sweet friend Karen, who blessed me with this very very fun Christmas present. It was probably the most fun Ive had in six months....

O.K. My Blog is Officially Cute.

2008-12-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

Allright you creative geniuses. I have done it. I have found the site to make me look like I'm a cool blogger.

How cool and cute and amazing is my layout!?

I know. You can hardly contain yourselves.

I'm THAT cool.

I'm THAT amazing.

I'm THAT capable of logging onto http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ and copying and pasting.

Happy Saturday before Christmas.

p.s.

I love pink.

And I love pink and Christmas together even more.

Celine. That's it. Just Celine.

2008-12-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

I have been working like a mad woman lately. Seriously I counted up that I have sung a total of 82 hours in the studio since three and a half weeks ago. I finished the marathon on Wed. evening with 6 piano students til 8:30 p.m. and I had every intention of just finally finally settling down. I was looking forward to this:

But late that evening after I had put the house back together from the crazy three weeks of being out of it, I grabbed a blanket and beer and it wasn't 10 minutes into my fire gazing that Chlobug came down. A stomach virus had invaded our home. I had already watched Matt lay in bed for the entire weekend before, and It was one of those moments where you have to stop, thank God it is a stomach bug and not something horribly worse, and remind yourself that life isn't about you when you're a mom. So....the Thursday and Friday that I had spent the last month in the studio dreaming about was going to be filled with taking care of sick ones. I was exhausted and disappointed. HOWEVER. I sat on the couch yesterday and for one hour watched the british version of the Christmas Carol with her, gazed at her while she watched T.V. in awe of her eyes; the length of her lashes, and the shape of her mouth, much like I did that first night I held her in the hospital. I thought about how much I loved her so much more now. How much we had been through together considering what a Guinea Pig that poor first child was. And I thanked God for this day. This day that didn't give me what I thought I wanted but gave me what I needed. Her.

And so, today, I sent her to school, made beds, folded laundry, lit a chrismasy evergreen candle, made up my mom's receipe of Sugar Cookies (w/ lemon extract...my fav.!!) and then received a REALLY fun phone call. My dear friend Karen is taking me to Ruth's Chris Sunday night for drinks and dinner and then......to see..........HER:

(photo courtesy of google images)

So...who needs days at home with laundry and cleaning and wrapping when dressing in fancy high heels, sipping martinis, eating steaks, and gazing at Celine from the 10th row of a concert you have always dreamed of seeing awaits you Sunday night.....

I really hope she smacks her chest and points in the air once for me......

I'll keep you posted....

Until then

40 years.....Celebrating Beth....

2008-12-17T18:16:00.000-08:00

I thought a lot about this post the last couple of weeks. I knew I was going to do it. This is Beth. She is 40 today and is the best friend a girl could ask for. We have known each other since June of 1999. I'll never forget the first time I met her because I thought it quite brave of her to bring her BRAND NEW baby boy to come meet me at a "meet the pastor" party. She looked so....NOT post partum two weeks. She looked young, fresh, friendly and most importantly.....FUN. I couldn't wait to get to know her. Well, it didn't take long. I even remember our first phone call. I was still in Lexington and she called to see how things were going saying goodbye to our church and friends. Funny. She cared before she even knew me.

We became literally INSTANT friends and even better; so did our husbands. Life was good for those first 18 months of our friendship. Lots of late night talks, snowy winter afternoons drinking coffee and putting our kids down for naps and looking thru magazines. Talks about our regrets, our dreams, and our quirks. Laughing about everything. Going on a weekends together with Matt and John. Surviving Andrews teething and purple gums, and my very surprising pregnancy with Evalee.

Then life became a little hard.....things were hard for me and then started to get hard for her. Tough times at our church, in my husband's job and tough times for Beth personally. But, she proved what an amazing person she is. She kept going. Kept caring. Kept laughing. Kept making fun of me in that sweet way. Kept talking. Kept being interested. Kept calming me down. Kept putting up with me. Kept being the mom she is. Kept serving God. Kept loving her sisters. And our friendship grew and blossomed. From rocky times, to smooth times, to busy times and the heartbreak of knowing that the everyday times were going to end in July of 2006. Neither of us knew what those times would bring. At first, it was hard. How do we do this thing called friendship hours away? So much of our lives were intertwined. What would it be like to say goodbye?

In some ways, she drives me crazy.

She's stubborn.

She hasn't read an owners manual to anything she owns and can't open an attachment in an email....

She sometimes tries to be Superwoman.

She has trouble saying no.

But.....

She's taught me how to be better.

She's come along side me in really hard times and was just.....there.

She's easy with people. I'm amazed at her ease with people and her ability to read them.

She's sooo bright. And she short changes herself in this area a lot.

She's been a friend and has stuck with that decision when many people haven't.

She's loved her family members so deeply at times it hurt her beyond words while I watched in awe at her compassion.

She's been a mom that I can count on for advice

She's worked hard when she puts her mind to something and has amazed people with her talents in photography and decorating.

She's bought A LOT of Christmas presents over the years and wrapped even more....hahahaha....

So...

Here's to Beth on 40 years of a life beautifully lived.

And I'm the lucky girl who calls her friend and has shared nine of those with her.

Love you so much....

Picture removed cuz Beth hated it. Hahaha!!!

I need Sun...NOW.

2008-12-13T19:20:00.001-08:00

Battling something today.

I figured out what it was.

I just need some sun.

Tried to negotiate with myself over going tanning.

So afraid of skin cancer.

It's this time of the year I wish I had used 15 or 30 when I was at the pool all summer.

I have to give my body a break...

I've been working in a studio the last two weeks that is an old masonic lodge.

There are no windows.

I mean NONE. NO WHERE. NO WHERE IN THE ENTIRE BUILDING.

I was in there for 6 days for 9 hour days.

It has caught up with me.

I am going to buy one of those lamps tomorrow come hell or high water.

I am sinking and the sun is the only way to not drown.

I hate this feeling.

It makes me feel weak and wish I was a stronger person without these genes.

Oh well...there are worse things.

Blogging is so Beautiful.....I wish mine was prettier.

2008-12-11T11:39:00.001-08:00

I'm just simply not cool. I'm not creative. I'm not innovative and that is allright by me. I enjoy soooo many blogs of people who are cool. Here they are:

Ms. Fox......could her blog page be any more....I don't know.....like you just want to reach out and touch it? What is that word....um....tactile(y) appealing?

And this one....makes me want to have another kid and take lots of close-ups so I don't miss a thing.

And Katie....like who has that much talent with color that YOU know?

And this gal.....when she writes her day out, it makes me feel things. Some fun feelings and some sad feelings. And when the words are gathered together with a picture thrown in, it feels like some really great art to me....

And her....I've seen her creativity in action. It involves moving furniture, drilling holes in floors, and I must say....she is the best creative MacGyver there ever was. The things that girl can do with crap from salvation army makes me swoon.

And this girl....besides being the best friend a person could ask for and taking amazing pictures, she can take a paint color and change your world with it.......always always always ask her for advice on paint colors. Seriously.

And my new friend...she makes babies and little girls cuter than ever with material and thread.

This expectant friend can do things with photo shop we can only dream of doing....

and there are so many more I've missed.....

I have to admit. I live my life sorta through their coolness, innovative ideas and creativity. When I read their blogs, and feast my eyes on what they offer, it reminds me of why I love blogging and how it makes me happy. It also has done a lot of other amazing things....but enjoying others' gifts is one of the big plusses.

And I know my cheesy PYZAM candy cane layout with a picture of my girls that doesn't even fit in the box and a title you can't read looks like crap.

But I don't care what the critics say.

They can nay say all they want.

Blogging is for me.

Goal Setting.

2008-12-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

I did it.

In August I heard this man speak and new after hearing him, I would never be the same. I knew that what he said in those words required action from me.

So.

I did it.

I knew right then and there I was going to put on a Christmas concert and raise some money for IJM. (http://www.ijm.org/)

I knew it would be hard work.

I had also been thinking a lot about my friend Katie and how she ran a marathon. I thought about our conversation about big goals and big dreams and knew it was my turn to make some of those happen.

I knew I had to push through my fear of failure.

What if I picked the wrong songs.

What if I couldn't hire a great band.

What if no one came.

What if I didn't cross every T and dot every I.

What if the rehearsals fell apart.

What if I had to ask for help? (And I did. A lot more than I realized.)

I pushed through. Pushing pushing pushing.

Setting dates, writing music charts, asking for HELP writing music charts, shopping for the perfect outfit, sending mass emails, asking for HELP with singers for the choir, asking people to commit their time to rehearse, asking some people to do it for free, sharing my vision, begging the ushers to come early to set up 150 extra chairs if needed and to be patient if people had to stand, filling out press releases, opening up bank accounts for the evening....and on and on it went. Hours and hours.

But...

It happened.

We raised $24,324.41 dollars in one evening.

That pays for one entire lawyer to be hired. On who will stand up for rights for children forced into slavery and little girls captured and forced to give men oral sex for thirty dollars. As gross as that sounds, that is what drove my passion. It sounds ridiculous but here are the statistics:

~each hear 2 million girls are exploited in the commercial sex trade.

~There are up to 27 women, men and children in forced labor, held as slaves around the world today.

~Illicit Human Trafficking is a 32 billion dollar industry.

And I can honestly say that we made a teeny tiny dent in some of those numbers. I recommend Gary's book called "Just Courage" which was what really what changed my thinking about making a difference.

Plus. I bought a great pair of shoes just for the event.

I asked my very talented friend, Steve Quinn to sing with me. We did a few really fun songs. He put so much work and time into this. I was blessed to have him be a part.

And you know what? My husband...the love of my life. He gave 200% to make this happen for me. We were a team and in one night put our efforts together to change a small piece of the world.

It's funny. the evening before, I was sitting and thinking about all that was about to go on and I was re reading my notes from when I heard Gary speak. And I realized that this concert was really just the tiniest tip of the iceberg. I really thought that I would do this event and that I could just forget those faces of those sweet little girls and maybe just put the haunted feelings I had aside for a while. But if anything, my passion is renewed. I am not done. At all. There is so much more to be done and I don't think I will ever be done fighting injustice in the world.

But for the next goal....besides the half marathon in May, it may just be time to start talking triathlons.........

Back At It and Happy Birthday to Chloe!

2008-12-05T05:49:00.000-08:00

Trying to get back at it. My computer has a problem and I downloaded this template and the picture doesn't fit and its all jacked up and at this point I'm sick of trying to get my blogger to work. Something is screwed up since we downloaded Internet Explorer updates. Soooo, I'm letting the perfectionism go and am posting anyway. I know the above picture of my kids doesn't fit in the space and that the writing is on their heads but at this point I don't give a crap.

Tonight is my benefit concert for IJM and I'm ready and excited but last night I realized right before I went to bed that I hadn't bought a black camisole for under my jacket. So I dreamed last night I went on stage without a camisole. Just me, the red jacket and my bra. What does that say about me? I have no idea. Prob. that I'm nervous I have forgotton some detail. Let's just hope its not my clothes.

Chloe turns 10 today. I laid in bed feeling ponderous about her, and what is happening to her at this stage in her life. She is getting older and having older problems. But we're going with it and hoping we can parent her properly. Here is a picture of her right after she was born:

And of course, her first picture with Santa. Great memories. Really. Last night she had a concert at school for her choir group and she came downstairs all fashionista-ed. She looked so cute. I am so proud of how she comes up with outfits and they really really look good!!! She is so creative with her clothing. I am just so proud of her and love her beyond what words can describe. She is really a unique, special kid.

In the car...

2008-11-03T17:55:00.001-08:00

Our road trip was one of the parts I looked most forward to. As some of you know, we were preparing for the ULTIMATE road trip to Telluride, CO this summer. I dreamed about driving out west. I went with my family when I was young. We bought a Chrysler Town and Country. The FIRST year they came out. All 6 of us spent 26 hours in that van and I still remember the wonderful time we had. It is one of the most vivid memories I have of traveling as a kid. But we had to unfortunately cancel our vacation because of Matt's pneumonia and the dumbest part was that I was most sad about missing the car ride!!!! So needless to say, we really did this one up. Stops at Starbucks whenever we felt like it, waited to get to Tennessee to eat so we could eat at a Backyard Burger, and breakfast on the way home at Cracker Barrel. There was another family staying in our condo who left their home at 3:00 in the morning. They go to bed early that night with the van packed up, then get the kids up and put them in the car while the dad drives. Then they wake up around 7:30, stop at Cracker Barrel and have only about 8 hours of the trip left! We did that on the way home and it was PERFECT!!

Lulabear did a LOT of reading. She loves to read.

Chlobug listened to her ipod most of the way!

I drove the first half to Nashville, and Matt drove the second half to Gulf Shores!!

I caught up with some podcasts and read lots of really really important magazines like "In Touch", "OK", "People" and "Life and Style"....my vacation indulgences!!!

Here is a picture RIGHT when we got home Sunday evening!!

This girl was HAPPY to be home!!!

And so were we....but loved every second. We were talking and we realized that this was the first vacation we have ever taken just the four of us. We didn't go visit anyone, we didn't travel with anyone...just us...

We were trying to figure out how to really accomplish this every year. Our issue isn't really money...we can do these vacations really cheap if you work hard enough. The issue was time. How to break up Matt's vacation time and fit in all of the visits to family since we live out of town. We committed this to prayer and you know what? As a part of Matt's review at work just this week, they gave him ANOTHER WEEK'S VACATION!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!! THANK YOU GOD!

My little surfer girls....

2008-11-03T17:47:00.000-08:00

This spring I redecorated the girls room in a Surfer Girl theme....Pics to follow hopefully soon. I am going to transform these skim boards we bought on the left to something cute....hopefully!!!

Fun times in the condo....

2008-11-03T17:27:00.000-08:00

We stayed on the 14th floor...(there were only 15...) and at first it scared the crap out of me but I got used to it...Here is a summary of what we did. We had a BLAST on the three rainy days. I think those were the best of the days, honestly. We just hung out and had a really great time.

Matt......ate!!!!

I....Read...."The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". One day, I read this book and laid right here in this bed for about four hours!!!!

Matt and Lulabear hanging out.

Seashell sorting on the balcony.

No....this wasn't our condo. This was "Souvenier City", a seashell tchotchke hell where the kids bought hermit crabs and literally one day played with them for three hours on the balcony where they set up hermit crab land.

Here they are with Lola (who has already died, God rest her soul) and Plummet (who got her name because when Lula bear picked her up she dropped her about 5 feet....she is still alive by the way.)

Game night. We did this several mornings/evenings and have decided to make it a regular part of our week. We did it tonight as a matter of fact.

Our favorite game was "Go Nuts" that is a complete blast and only lasts for about 10 minutes and can be played with up to four players. ANY AGE would love this game. It is 4.99$ at Target and can be found at the endcap in the toy section where the playing cards are found. Better than that it all fits into a tiny little playingcard sized box and only has about 9 dice and a scorecard!!!

Breakfast....pancakes and sausage on the balcony...

And here, I am trying my best to get a decent picture of the three of them. This best represents what we did. Just goofing around, hanging out together on the bed playing games, snuggling, watching the Disney channel....just enjoying each other's company. Can I say how much I loved this vacation one more time!!!???

Matt ruined this one...

Lulabear ruined this one....

And Chlobug....what the heck is up with her eyes!??

I GAVE UP!!!! Fake sleeping and I just turned the camera off...

The Beach....our home away from home

2008-11-03T17:02:00.001-08:00

We spent a lot of time digging deep in the sand and finding amazing shells. Here is our little Lula digging and finding GREAT shells!

Goofy girls trying to push each other in!!

Daddy flying a kite on a VERY windy day....the surf was actually at a double red flag that day...We couldn't even get in the water.

Eating, reading, resting, sleeping, watching girls play in the water and dreaming of doing this every year happened right here....

Sand castle building....

And what beach vacation happens without burying each other in the sand!!!

The Blue Angels....Pensacola Florida...

2008-11-03T16:52:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday morning we took the girls to see the Blue Angels (a Navy sponsored airplane stunt team) perform at Pensacola Air Force Base. It started at 8:30 and we werent' sure we wanted to make the effort so early in the morning. Let me tell you....IT WAS WORTH IT!!! AMAZING!! At one point, one of the jets passed us going 700 miles per hour just 40 feet off of the ground. It really was hard to describe and thee pictures do it NO justice!!

Notice two of the planes were upside down. They also fly as close as 18 inches apart from each other.

At the naval museum. Actually quite fun and interesting.

What was the most fun was the girls got to meet one of the Blue Angels...his name was Nate something or other and he graduated from Lapeer High School in 1991!!! He was excited to hear we had lived so close to there!!

Great great day and something the girls will always remember.

Family pics in Gulf Shores

2008-11-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

This little girl to my left makes me proud and challenges me all the time to be a better person...I love her.

This little girl makes me smile. I am learning to love myself better and deeper because of my love for her and our similarities...

This daddy is just the absolute best.

This was us just being happy!!!

My little girls....LOVE THEM!!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya, Tomorrow.....

2008-10-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

It is tomorrow.

I am better.

Thank God.

I woke up, took care of all my business, talked to Beth for an hour and went for a good long walk.

Had a talk with God, and some time in His word to follow,

ate Chipotle for dinner even though I had food in my fridge (my new vacation resolution: no guilt about eating out),

made homeade choc. chip cookies for Matt while he was at his rehearsal just to let him know how much I loved him and then.....

watched ANTM and The Real Housewives of Atlanta...PURE INDULGENCE...and it helped me feel better about myself...maybe I'm not so bad after all..

and now....

off to bed to read and finish The Story of Edgar Sawtelle....a must read......

Oh.

Vacation pictures tomorrow. I promise....

Nighty night.

What I'm really feeling

2008-10-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

I'm short tempered.

I'm easily frustrated.

I'm mad at the injustice of the world.

I'm dreading next Tuesday.

I really don't want to vote at all.

I'm tired of looking at gas prices and not being happy about them because I know it means that thousands upon thousands of people are losing money and the economy is in the crapper.

I'm just all jumbled up.

I'm just tired of my body doing things I wish it wouldn't do.

I'm thinking tonight about the woman at "Mr. Wok" at the food court on vacation and how I really felt like I wanted to crawl across the counter and beat the crap out of her.

I'm thinking about why that even bugged me and how embarrassed my kids must have been.

I'm wishing 35 didn't mean kidney stones, fibroid tumors, going on the pill and root canals.

I'm sick of people in my life that judge me based on my personality and don't like the fact that I'm not who THEY want me to be.....

I'm thinking of Chlobug and Lulabear in those Target carts when they were 2 and 4, sipping frozen cherry drinks and eating popcorn with their little feet propped up on pampers ultra packs and me walking around feeling like the luckiest girl in the world....I miss that time...

I'm tired of having a crappy day and that it can't ever end with an hour at Target or Walmart with a cup of T Ho's and Beth.

I have no T Ho's and I have no Beth.

I'm feeling like I have been back for only one single solitary day and I am wishing life could stop and I could go back on vacation.

I am nervous and dreading this concert I am going to give.

I know I'm doing it for those poor little girls in Cambodia. But I am going to be in front of people, them staring at me for an entire hour....I hope they like what I've picked to sing.

I'm tired of the sick pit in my stomach I get thinking about this concert. It's a big step for me. It's kinda like running a marathon. It makes me super nervous and I feel like I'll be awkward up there.

I'm scared that there will be more than 1000 people there. What will I say?

Just think about those poor little girls and raising 10,000 dollars. I want to raise 10, 000 dollars to help get those sweet 7 year olds out of brothels.

I am thinking of those sweet little girls, and I'm kind of over the rest of this crap.

I'm going to bed.

Packing for Alabama.

2008-10-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

Praying....

No Pneumonia.

No Car Trouble.

No Kidney Stones.

No body throwing up.

No wierd issues.

Just peace and relaxation.

Reconnection with Chlobug

Reconnection with Lula

Reconnection with my honey buns.

Miss my dog like crazy BUT

No stopping what I'm doing to let her out.

No picking up her toys in the house.

No HOMEWORK....THANK GOD.

Nothing but Us.....which is what it's all about people....

Blankies....sigh....

2008-10-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

I've been intending to post for a while about this. When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with my blanket. I distinctly remember the day my mom decided I was "too old" for it.

Of course, from our childhood experiences, we make determinations on what we will and won't do as moms once we have kids. One thing I decided I wasn't going to do was put a limit on blankies. They could have them as long as they want.

Yes, my girls are in 2nd and 4th grade.

Yes, they are strong, independent young ladies.

Yes, they play with dirt, (last night made 4 mud pies) keep bugs as pets and watch shows like Mythbusters and Dirty Jobs.

BUT.

They LOVE their blankies. And I would never ever take them away.

Every morning when I make their beds, I have to clandestinely hide them beside their pillows in case a friend comes over.

So, right before I finish putting them in their little hiding spots in the morning....I secretly bury my face in them and try to breathe some baby that might be left on them. I can't believe I'm admitting this to everyone but as you can tell, I am having trouble watching them grow older.

We were partial to Gymboree blankets. As you can see Chlobug's are REALLY worn out. They have already had some repairs.

Another true confession. When Lulabear was FIVE she lost hers at a hotel. We tried to retrieve it to no avail. So.......I marched right into Gymboree, picked up the sweetest replacement I could find, and lied to the cashier telling her I was buying it as a baby shower gift.....I hope these girls have these until they leave home, and then, maybe I'll sleep with them......

On this crisp fall day.....snuggle your babies tight and smell em' up.

Sweet Lula Bear turns 8.

2008-10-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

It is unbelievable to me at times how life runs by so so fast and you never think it will ever slow.

It's hard to imagine that it has been 8 years since this precious little girl was born. Her hospital room faced the most gorgeous forest of maple and oak trees at their peak in a beautiful time of year in Michigan. I remember being so disappointed when visitors came. I wanted her and that serenity all to myself!! I just absolutely loved holding her, looking out the window and hearing her little kitty-cat-like cries and just feeling like it was just her and I in this world and nothing else would ever matter again. There are still times I hold her and love the peace and serenity she brings. She has that way about her. She can feel if someone is hurting and just knows how to make it better. It is my favorite thing about her. This picture above is a bathtub shaving kit for little boys. She has looked at it for years at a local toy store we visit a lot and it was the one thing she asked for for her birthday. I was thinking to myself "that toy is too young for her, why would she want that?" And quickly realized one of her favorite things to do is sit on the sink next to her dad and watch him shave. Sometimes you forget with the youngest one that they are still young. You just lump them in to whatever the older one is doing. But I forget, she is only in the 2nd grade, only 8 years old, and her world is still quite little.

My mom and dad came down. This year was a "family only" birthday.

Just us celebrating just her.

Birthday parties can be sooooo over-rated.

We had a blast.

Presents. Dinner at Red Robin with a fancy drink of her choice. Movie at the BRAND NEW HUGE movie theatre...."Beverly Hills Chihuahua"

Haven't you just been DYING to see that??? But when its their birthday, they see the movie they want to see!!!! Actually it was pretty cute and def. worth RENTING.

Sister lovin'......And a hershey bar for the movie.

I love these girls. So much tonight my heart is feeling achy!!!

Blessed, Blessed, Blessed is how I feel.....

Happy Birthday Lulabear!!

What we've been up to.....

2008-10-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Went to the opening game of Lucas Oil Stadium with my roomate from Anderson, Barb and her husband Jason. They are really great friends and its a blast to reconnect with them.

It's a really amazing stadium. Very bright with the roof retracted and the side window open.

It's Me Its Us. I'm Back

2008-10-12T05:27:00.000-07:00

Starting a new blog today as promised to many of you. Just needed to get away from the old one and hope possibly fewer people read this one. Too hard to make them private. Too much of a pain. So hopefully a new one will work. Thanks for reading my blabbing on probably too much about too many different things but that is why you are all my friends and family to put up with my blabbing and love me anyway! Pictures and posts soon to follow.

Love to you guys and miss everyone.

Oh yeah. We have a computer guy who FREAKED us out about using our kids first names or our last names anywhere in the blog so I'll again prob. refer to them as our oldest or youngest or C. or E. My last blog had our LAST NAME IN IT DUH!!! And our kids names all over it and where we lived where we were from.

So, I'll be more clandestine in this one to say the least!!!