My Fam

I have great kids!! I love them all dearly and I can't (literally) imagine what my life would be like without them. That goes for my husband, too. Those five people make me whole. They give me purpose, drive, laughter and love.

I really wish that I could get the video of Hunter's band playing last Sunday night. They rocked. I don't know what I really expected, but it wasn't anything like I witnessed. They were truly a band not just 5 boys playing different instruments. I am going to try and get it on here some time.

I also wish that I had pictures of Cole in the play his class put on last Friday. It was so cute. I was able to surprise him by showing up for it. He didn't think I was going to be able to get off work and come. He thought only Ronnie was going to be able to make it. It was fun seeing the look on his face. I didn't have time to go home and get the camera before the play started.

What I do have is pictures of my beautiful girls. The first on is of Veronica and her date, Trevor. They were headed to the SnoDays dance on Valentines Day. She didn't have her 4 inch heels on in the picture. Treavor said that he had to check out how tall she was before they left the house. He couldn't let her be taller than him.

The second picture is of English and her guy, Tim. Unfortunately Tim is over in Iraq right now. They look so happy together. Please be praying for his safety. I think, but I am not sure, that this picture was taken at Ronnie's moms house over New Years. I could be wrong though. Am I right, English? Is this in the dining room with your back to the front door?

Anyway, the third picture is one that Veronica took. Can you guess what it is? It took me a little while to figure it out.

Thank you my wonderful children for blessing me all the time. Thank you my very special husband for treating me like a pampered queen. If I could reach the stars...Pull one down for you...Shine it on my heart...So you could see the truth

Two Ideas

I have been kicking around two ideas lately and I would like your input.

1) A clothing exchange. We would bring five or six different peices of clothing (clean, non-stained, all buttons, zippers working, no tears or rips...basically something that you wouldn't be embarassed about having a friend wear) and exchange them with other ladies. You would bring your clothing for them to go through. In exchange you would go through all the other clothing and pick out what you like. You only take home the number of items that you brought.

2) A craft supply exchange. Each person would set up an area with craft items that you think you are no longer going to use or you no longer want. The other ladies would "shop" at your area. This one is a little harder to to do with the even exchange idea. We would each just share our stash with our friends. Since we have no need for it anymore it doesn't really matter does it?

With the economy as it is right now I have been trying to think of ways to save a few dollars. These are the two that I came up with. Let me know what you think and if you would be interested.

A Subject Revisited..and a car

Why? Why? Why? WHY???

Why did a woman come up to my counter and let loose such a stinky fart yesterday? I won't believe that she couldn't hold it until she could walk across the hall to the bathroom!! This fart was so stinky that her husband even walked away for a few moments. He came back and don't you know she let another one fly. He got to walk away again while I was stuck here in her green cloud of gas. I had to put my fingers to my nose they were so bad.

I know...passing gas is a natural thing. I get that! I also get that there are bathrooms in the majority of public places, and if you can't get to a bathroom walk outside for a moment.

DON'T TRY TO KILL ME!!!!

If they want to let one go here at the OB-Gyn counter, please...PLEASE go to another counter! I have had my fair share of stinky-ness to last me quite a while.

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Now on to more pleasant things. Cole has been a part of Awana this year and is loving it. He is working so hard memorizing scripture. He and his leader get along so well. As a matter of fact he was a little upset that Jeff G. was not going to be there on Wednesday nights for about 5 weeks due to some commitments.

Tonight at Awana is the Grand Prix. Cole told Ronnie how he wanted his car to look and they got to work on it. Cole drew out the design and Ronnie did some cutting. Next came some sanding, painting, stenciling, and more painting. Even Hunter got in on the action. They were still working on it last night. There was laughter coming from the garage so I went out to see what was going on. They were having a great time all together (thanks Ronnie for doing all of this). I didn't take any pictures last night, but I will tonight. I hope Cole wins a prize, but if not it will be ok. They had a good time making it and that is better than anything else.

Another of my Peeps and a beef

Do you ever stop and think about the impact you may have on someone? Only every once in a while does it happen to me where I actually stop and contemplate what may have just happened.

Last night was one of those nights. As most of you know I work at Target four shifts per week. One of those shifts happened to be last night. I was in a pretty good mood and giving some of the guests (customers) a hard time. One of my goals at Target is that everyone that leaves my lane is smiling. I can't always make it happen, but most of the time it does.

Last night a young man and woman were in my lane. I dont know if they were married, bro and sis, friends, etc. I ended up giving the guy a hard time by thanking him for trying to give me a $10.00 tip. I even went so far as to say, "I know I am awsome, but I can't accept your tip." I did end up telling them that I was really joking, and we all chuckled.

As I handed him the receipt he said, "This is what I needed to today. This hasn't been a good day for me."

Of course, being the question person that I am, I took the bait. I said, "I am sorry to hear that. What happened?"

He went on to tell me that he is sick and being treated at Mayo. Trying to keep the mood light I told him to come through my lane anytime and I would cheer him up. He smiled and said thank you.

On my way home I couldn't stop thinking about him. What was my impact on him and his situation? Will he remember his encounter with me? Will he come back through my lane to get some cheer? I did some praying on the way home. I have no idea what illness he has...if it is life threatening or not. Thankfully the Lord knows. :)

Now here are my beefs:

Why in the world is Jessica Simpson on the front of 5 magazines questioning her weight gain?

Why was there a article with the title to the effect of, "Airline put Celebrities in Danger Overfueling"? Why does it have to be celebrities? Why can't it be airline customers?

I don't really agree with the laws behind the burka, but doesn't wearing a burka sound appealing? Now don't write me any political mumbo-jumbo.

Look at these two ladies. Would you be able to tell if she has gained weight? As a man would you turn around to look at the back of a burka as the woman is strolling down the sidewalk? That would be a real head turner wouldn't it. All that black fabric hanging striaght down, not a curve in sight. Wouldn't be able to tell if she had just done 45 minutes on the treadmill or 45 minutes at the donut shop.

Then there is the whole fashion thing. Would you be able to tell if she got her Burka at Target or the Ralph Lauren Store? With everyone wearing the same "fashion" wouldn't there be less comparison to what other people have and don't have? That is why I am all in favor of school uniforms.

Ok... I will get off my soap box. I just got tired of all this "celebrity" information on magazines and the news. There is so much more going on in the world. Celebrities aren't the only ones that do stuff. There are people out there that are making a difference in this world and it has nothing to do with their weight gain.

I guess this is just really me wanting to focus more on the inside of people rather than the outside. Wonder if I can do it?

Elijah

In 2003 our family moved to Rochester with our good friends, John and Wendi. John was accepted into the Mayo Medical School, and Ronnie and I just tagged along.

Fast forward to 2008...After 5 years of infertility and four failed IVF attemps, John and Wendi brought home little Isaac. What an incredible story his adoption is. Anyway, in June Wendi found out that she was pregnant! If I remember correctly she had quit taking all of her medications for IVF with the exception of one. That meant that this baby was conceived without medical intervention! What a modern day miracle.

I will admit that I am very sad that I will not be able to get to hold this little guy for quite some time. You can see a picture of his older brother Isaac and I on the side bar of our blog. Just isn't in the cards for me to get down there any time soon.

Anyway, let me introduce you to Elijah. What a handsome little guy he is.
Also, if you want to read one of the best written stories I have read in a long time go here http://flakymn.blogspot.com/2009/02/elijah-lukes-entrance-to-world-by-jb.html

Ronnie and I both admitted that it brought us to tears as we read it. Grab a tissue before you get to their blog.

Congratulations to John and Wendi. We loveyou both very much and are very happy for you.