Odds and Ends

The Weight Watchers meeting was cancelled last night, due to some crummy weather. I got some things done at home instead. Seth and I purchased the last "substantial" gift for the kids (only the stockings left to finish), and I'll probably wrap it this afternoon.

The second big "Viking/Packer" game was a bit of a disappointment, even if the Packers did win. I even won another bet against my "Gamblers Annonymous" co-worker. (Just kidding!) Neither team could keep their hands on the ball! It was, however a tight game that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end.

I'm soo glad it's Friday! I'm looking at the front-end of a 4-day weekend!! Oh, to be able to sleep in!

My mom's youngest brother and his family are expected to arrive at my folks' tomorrow night. It will be fun to spend the weekend with them. My uncle offered to make Green Mill pizza for us Sunday afternoon, which will push our festive Christmas Feast back a meal...But for Green Mill pizza, I think I'll live.

Did I tell you that my brother Paul is engaged?! He and Amy had their "Christmas" last Wednesday, and he Popped the Question! Amy is a sweet girl and will make a nice addition to our family!

Our church choir is scheduled to sing for this Sunday morning service...even if we are short 12 members! Pray that we can still pull off The Hallelujah Chorus!

Well, if I don't see or talk to you before, have a Merry Christmas!

Fortunes, Forecasts, Lucky Charms

I don't buy any of it. I don't read horoscopes; I don't believe in being able to predict one's future by the lines on one's palm; I just don't buy it.

I do, however, enjoy Chinese food and the funny little cookies you get to savor for dessert.

Yesterday, my mom took my kids shopping and out for lunch afterward in a Chinese food court in the mall. They each got a fortune cookie to follow their meals, and they each had a "fortune" that was mysteriously accurate:

Madison's fortune told her that "A cheerful letter or message is on it's way to you." Which is an easy one, considering Christmas cards are arriving every day ;)

Malachi's warned him to "Keep you plans secret for now." (An aside: you can tell these were written by the Chinese, but I digress.) And if you've seen this post, you'd know that this is hilariously dead on for him!

So whether or not you, like me, are skeptical of the whole "medium" culture, we all can all appreciate a little humor from time to time.

Oink, Snort, Squeal

I've had a baaaad week. I have pigged out. Not a good idea for someone who only has a 4.5 pound buffer zone until she's kicked out of the "lifetime" qualification at her local Weight Watchers meeting. But so far, so good on my bathroom scale...haven't lost, but haven't gained either.

*knock on wood*

But for tomorrow's weigh-in, I may have to use my "Get out of Jail Free" card. (Or "No Weigh In", as is the "technical" name for it.) Because if I don't, this scene may play out at the meeting tomorrow.

My Elfin' Self

HA! Betcha didn't think I could sing and dance at the same time, didja?! Well you have Jeannie to thank for this one!

Check out my elfin' self:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=deb698fa3fcd929be554eccG06121812

Merry Christmas everyone!

A Little Shop, A Little Slumber

This morning my friend Jeannie and headed out bright and early to hit the stores to finish our Christmas shopping. It was great for "just us girls" to get out and just be together as two female adults! I had a blast! (And most of my Christmas shopping is done to boot!)

When I got home, Seth was upstairs putting clothes away. He took me downstairs so he could "tell me something". (The kids were already napping.)

He said that when he put the kids to bed for their naps, Malachi must have been really tired. But in order for him to stay asleep once he fell asleep, Seth decided to rub some VapoRub on his chest to keep him from coughing. (It's become a pattern in our household lately, unfortunately.) So as Daddy is massaging the serum into our son's chest, he's falling asleep. But Madison is in her bed, not quite feeling closure from Daddy that all of the "good-nights" and "I love yous" have been said. So she's yelling: "Good night!"....."Good Night!"....."GOOD NIGHT!"....."GOOD NIGHT!!" Seth doesn't want to respond since he's so close to a nearly sleeping little boy. But after a few of these frustrated little pleadings for a response, he finally shouts: "Good Night!" To which Malachi startles awake and mumbles "good night", thinking that daddy is saying it to him. Then, Madison wants yet another response from Daddy: "I love you!"....."I Love You!"..... To which Malachi, not quite back to his sleep, keeps responding, "I love you too!" Seth said that it was so precious, he could hardly keep from laughing out loud!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children - on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years. Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone. On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family. Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,
MOM

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

My Mild-Mannered Little Man

This is Malachi. He has a manner about him that I will probably never understand. But it will forever endear me to him. Nothing phases this kid.

Yesterday, I picked up my children from my mom's (who, by the way, lives right across the street). I rounded them up, got them dressed for the 8 degree weather, and we headed for home. We got most of the way across the street, when I looked down and noticed that my son was shoeless! He was toddling down the way in the freezing cold with nothing but socks on his little feet! I had neglected to adequately clothe my son! I asked him, "Malachi, where are your shoes?" He looked down at his feet and said, "Oh, we forgot them!"

We got a big laugh out of that one! (Those are M&Ms he's puting in his ears, by the way.)

Momma So Proud

This weekend we set up our Christmas trees. In the past, it's just been Seth and I doing the decorating; But this year, Madison wanted to help:

Take another look at that tree...I'm not kidding, Madison decorated it! I told her that she should consider where bows and ornaments were and space them out, she decided where she wanted the decorations, and I moved the desk so she had something to stand on. I am thoroughly impressed at her sense of style and design. *tear* Momma So Proud.

On a sidenote: check out how old she looks in this picture:

My Baby's growing up!!

In other family news:

Madison turned 4 on Nov. 19. She wanted a "Princess" party. Here are some pictures:

Brotherly Love?

r: "You shot your deer?"
s: "Yea, it's an 11 point buck! I wounded it and Michael finished it."
r: "Great!"

I listened as Seth explained in detail how he was about to call it a night when he heard the rustling in the brush. I could hear the excitement in his voice as he romped through the slew (sp?) toward his brother and their latest victim. Our conversation ended soon after, for Seth wanted to get the deer gutted before the sun set.

My phone rang again:
s: "It makes me sooo mad! Michael's not even admitting that the deer is mine! The one who gets first blood gets the deer, right?"
r: "I honestly don't know, but he doesn't think you hit it?"
s: "NO! And it practically laid itself down in front of him. It was obviously wounded!"
r: "Huh."
s: "Well, can you meet me at Chris and Syna's? We're going to skin the deer there. And bring the camera..."
r: "Sure."

I arrived at our friends' house a few minutes earlier than the brothers and explained the situation to everyone (Aaron and Jeannie were also there, as well as Paul H.) and how Seth felt about it. Everyone just laughed at the sibling rivalry.

Finally, the guys arrived. As Syna (the wonderful hostess that she is ;)) bustled about the kitchen, serving drinks and chili to the hungry hunters, the men shared their story of "Divide? and Conquer".

After they had finished eating, the guys (and the photographer) headed outside to skin and "butcher" the poor animal laying dead in the back of Michael's truck. Aaron asked me to move my van so they could get the truck in to unload the deer. I got in the van and backed right into a tree!! (That's a whole 'nother post!)

As the bros were hanging and skinning the deer, Seth says, "Michael, I don't know if I even shot this deer at all! I can't find any wounds that I would've made." To which Michael replies, "Oh, I know you shot it. There's no way it would've just lay down in front of me without you shooting it first." *I drop my arms and roll my eyes.*

OH BROTHER!!

Another Project Bites the Dust

We have finally finished our front porch (you want the truth? It's been finished for a couple of weeks now, but due to the stone-aged camera we have, we just got the pictures back yesterday!)

It was a long and grueling process, nevertheless. So here are the before and after pictures for your enjoyment:

Gobble, Gobble

Yup, that's exactly what I did-all weekend. Gobble. Gobble.

In the week between my last Weight Watchers weigh-in and Thanksgiving, I lost 4 pounds. This is a fantastic feat for me. My average loss per week is around a pound. You think this would be incentive enough to avoid all of the extra food at the table...nope, I gained it all back. I'm back to where I started a week and a half ago!! ARGH!!

But this is the time of year to reflect on all of the things in our lives for which we are thankful. I'm thankful I have a roof over my head. I'm thankful I have food to eat and clothes to wear. Did you know that having those three things puts me among the wealthiest 25 percent of the people on our planet?

I'm thankful I have two beautiful, healthy kids; and a husband who loves me. I'm thankful I still have both of my parents, and my husband's as well. I'm thankful for my 5 siblings, and 12 brothers- and sisters-in law.

My brothers: David, 17; Paul, 21; Dan, 14

My sisters: Ruby (my foster sister who unfortunately doesn't live with us anymore; Liz, 12; Becca, 18; and Me.

I'm thankful for twenty-three years of life in a free country, and not only that, but for fellow Americans who are and were willing to be away from their families so that the wars and issues in other countries wouldn't have as great an impact on ours.

*Sigh*

So after that "Perspective-Check", I'm ready to stop complaing about those four pounds...

I'm Still Here

So it' s been awhile since I've posted any new blogs. Life's been busy lately, and I don't expect it to slow down much until after Christmas.

Tomorrow night is our Apples of Gold "Finale". (For those of you who aren't familiar with Apples of Gold, it's a mentorship program where "Mature" ladies of the Church fellowship with the younger ladies: opening up their homes, sharing wisdom and life experiences, demonstrating various cooking or decorating tips, and just showering the yung'ens with love and hospitality.) I'm excited, yet part of me is disappointed that it's over. We get to bring our husbands (or special guests for those of us who aren't married.) it's truly been an honor getting to know these ladies.

Seth and I have been working diligently on finishing our front hall. We're hoping to finish tonight. I'll have before and after pictures when it's all done.

Madison's turning 4 on Sunday. I can't believe she's that old already! It seems like it was just yesterday that she was only a tiny baby! Time flies! What a blessing she's been to us these past four years!

So there you have it: our lives in a nutshell :D

Free Carwash, Anyone?

Packers WIN: 23-17!

So last week, a co-worker of mine, "Joe" came over to my desk and said, "wanna bet on this weekend's game?" (He's a Vikings fan.) And I said, "I don't bet." "No," he replied, "I'm not talking money, I mean we could wager something embarrassing." So I asked skeptically, "Like what?" "Well," he said, "You could wash my car." "Ooo," I said sarcastically, "That is embarrassing. And you mean, 'you could wash my car.'" "Well, we'll see." He replied.

I took the bet, and we shook on it.

So this morning, I get to work, and there's a note on my desk that simply states: "You win. I will wash your van."

So a free 'van' wash it is! Thanks, Pack!

'Bye for Now.

From Left: Chelsea, Justin, Maddie, Kameron, Baby "Unborn", Teresa, Me, Seth

Friday we had to say "goodbye" to our friends. Kameron, Teresa, Maddie and Baby "Unborn" moved to Chicago early Saturday morning. But it wasn't "goodbye", really. We'll visit each other often. And when you share a friend in Jesus, it's never "goodbye", just "'bye for now".

We met Kameron and Teresa the Sunday Kameron was baptized. His story was so moving that it prompted Seth to go introduce himself. I had already headed off in the direction of the nurseries to rescue my children, but when I got there, another mom was picking up her own little "Maddie"! We talked casually about the similarities of our daughters' names, and when Seth found us, he introduced us: The mom I had been talking to was Kameron's wife, Teresa. (They were separated at the time, but Teresa came to church with Kameron to support his decision to be baptized...you'll have to ask them about the rest of their story. I've posted a link to their blog in the column on the right.)

A few weeks later, a woman in our Sunday School class held a "Women's Tea" at her home, inviting lots of new women from the class. I sat next to Teresa and we chatted again about our daughters. Eventually all of the ladies at the "tea" were seated in the living room and we got to some interesting discussions. Teresa shared her story, which brought tears to my eyes. (Again, you'll have to ask them :)) When the "tea" was over, I asked Teresa if Kameron had any christian friends he could talk to/hang out with? She said, "no, but he really could use some right now." So we exchanged phone numbers and the rest is history!

Over this past year, an incredible friendship has developed. It was hard to let them go, they'll be sorely missed. Maddie, Madison and Malachi have become "best friends", as have their mommies and daddies. But this move isn't "goodbye", it's merely "'bye for now."

We love you and miss you Kameron, Teresa and Maddie!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

My husband and I were talking this morning about things I want for my birthday. I've listed quite a few things lately, just trying to give him ideas. But my most recent request was for a digital camera. "What's wrong with the camera we have?" he wondered. "Nothing." I replied, "but it would make it a LOT easier to scrapbook and post pictures on my blog if I had one of my own." "Well maybe you shouldn't scrapbook or blog then." He joked. Pleading my case, I pointed out that I am merely trying to preserve the memories we have of our family while we still can. I don't want to wake up in 10 years and wonder why my kids never did the cute things other little kids do...maybe not realizing that they DID, I just didn't remember because I never recorded them. He agreed. So, just to let you know, I'll be posting cute little kiddie sayings on my blog from time to time, as a way to sort of Journal them. And they may come with a little "life lesson" or they may not...

Madison, my almost 4 year old, likes to think she's pretty grown up. In other words, she can get a little bossy and lippy from time to time. (We're working on it.) Today I was helping her climb out of the van and she "tooted". Usually I just ask her to be polite and say "excuse me", but today I thought I'd try to discourage her from doing that in public: "Madison, we don't toot loudly when we're around other people, unless we're in a bathroom." "Well," she replied, "Jesus makes me toot." She said this in a sort of "so there" tone of voice. I had to look away to supress my giggle. *I shake my head* She also says some of the cutest things: I love it when she tells me, "Mommy, you're my favorite mommy."

Malachi's my mild-tempered little man. But the things he says sometimes just blow my mind!

His most recent little anecdote is something we can only guess he picked up from one of his favorite movies? He lately likes to tell us: "I have a plan...." And that's it, when we prompt him for the details of his plan, all he says is, "I have a plan." Then a few nights ago my husband and I were bathing the children and he looked up at us, shook his head and said, "I don't have a plan anymore, sorry."

I often wonder what kind of legacy we're passing on to our children: Do they pick up on the important positive things? Or is it just the "ugly" mommy and daddy that will stick with them? One thing Malachi asked me today made me feel like we're impressing the right things onto our children: "Mommy, can we pray for my owie ear?" Oh! My melting heart!

Thank you, Madison and Malachi, for making me feel like a good mommy!

I love you Both,

Mommy

Break Time

Today was supposed to be a relaxing day, all to myself. My husband is hunting near his parents' home in a town about 40 minutes from here. My kids are there too, spending time with their Nana and Papa...and I have time to myself to get some projects done, like painting our front entry...But first, the removal of the dreaded: WALLPAPER!! Dun, dun, dun!!

Aarghh!! Wallpaper!

I've tried everything: steaming, DIF, even a combination of Fabric Softener and good old H2O. But NOTHING works! I know part of my problem is that I'm trying to remove wallpaper from paneling, but I'm about "up to here" with the darn wallpaper!

I'm okay, I just needed to vent a little. And I'm over halfway done, so the hard part's almost over. The next steps: sanding, priming, taping and finally, painting!! It'll be gorgeous when it's all over. I'll have to keep that in mind when I can't feel my arm anymore, and just keep scrape-ing. (sorry, "scraping" just didn't look right.)

Is it noon YET?!

I don't know about you, but Daylight Savings is really getting to me this year. I went from being able to occasionally skip lunch, (or at least postpone it) to actually hearing my stomach around 11am!!

Isn't it funny how God wired our bodies so intimately that even when we try to "fix" things (like our daylight hours) we're really not fooling anyone? He even gave us our own little internal clocks to give us a head's up that lunch is around the corner!

So next time instead of complaing that I'm so hungry, or tired, or whatever the case may be; I'll use those cues as reminders from God that He's in control and that He'll take care of ALL of my needs.

But for tomorrow, a small morning snack may be in order...what do you think?

Halloween!

I love this time of year. I love the colors, the smells, the sounds. I DON'T however, love the cold!

Last night my friend Sarah and I took our kids trick-or-treating in the frigid tundra of West Central Minnesota. The kids had a blast: Madison was a beautiful freckled butterfly, Noah (Sarah's little one) was a scary Spiderman, and Malachi was a frightening tiger!

The kids started out at Sarah and my place of employment, reverse trick-or-treating: handing out candy to everyone. Then we went "Trunk-or-treating" at Sarah's church across the street. And who can forget the local downtown shops? After about an hour of this, the kids started to get antsy. Well, who can blame them when the temperatures dip into the 30s?! So we decided to head home to feed our little munchkins, let them warm up, and then let the daddies have a turn ;)

Right about here would be a great place for a few adorable pictures...but I can't figure out how to add pictures to this blog! (I know, I know...it's probably quite elementary, but not for me.) So as soon as I get around to figuring that out, you can basque in the gorgeousness of happy little trick-or-treaters in the glorious halloween spirit. Thanks for stopping.

First-Time Blogger

Well good afternoon! Here I sit, not knowing what to write, and yet, I can't keep my fingers still! Blogging is something I've never done before. I enjoy reading the blogs of my friends, and can't wait to see what new things they have to say, but whether or not I'll be able to discipline myself to keep up my blog is something you'll have to tune in to see!