I'm Back?

It has been such a long time since I have visited our blog. Many things have been going on. Health issues, kids, husband, work, college, etc. All of those have taken the front seat to the blog.

Recently I got Veronica to take pictures of Hunter, Cole, Ronnie and I for a project I was working on for one of my classes. She did such a good job. The top one and bottom one were taken the same day. The one of Ronni was taken at some other point, but I put it on there just because I really really like it.

For my project I did a powerpoint slide show on our family. The kids and I laughed at it each time I showed it. Part of the laughter came from the video Ronnie and the boys made for me for my project. I wanted to have a video on it to show exactly how goofy we all are.


Well here are a couple of the pictures. I tried to upload the video, but I gave up.

Have a great week everyone!

2nd Annual Christmas Shopping Open House

	Cambodia tugs at Marti's heartstrings for many reasons. It breaks her heart to know the number of girls who spend their days and nights in brothels. Many are there because their parents are so desparate for money, they will sell their daughters to support their family. This past summer Marti was once again in Cambodia, and met some lovely young girls at the English Camp. Most of the girls in her group were working for their family...instead of finishing high school. Since coming home, Marti learned that the girls want to return and finish their high school requirements. Uneducated Cambodian girls often end up in brothels. Marti can't even inagine one of those girls beaten and abused. Marti wants to raise enough money to send these 8 girls to school. And here is where you come in... This year Marti has joined with a group of like minded women who share her burden for sex trafficking. They have agreed to have sales profits go toward educating her friends in Cambodia. Every item you purchase will go toward raising the money needed. Join Marti for the 2nd Annual Christmas Shipping Open House
Location:	Marti's home 4051 7th Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 US
When:	Sunday, November 14, 1:00-4:00PM
Please join us for a fun afternoon of buying and selling. Bring your gold and get paid for it. You can shop for lots of Christmas gifts while supporting girls in Cambodia at the same time. The buyers and sellers will be... * Cindy will be ready to buy your gold. She gives checks on the spot. *Maureen will be selling a bazillion pieces of hand-crafted jewelry. *Cortnay will be selling felted-wool fleece-lined mittens. *Kara will sell tons of Arbonne gifts, plus she will take reorders. *Gift baskets sure to please lots of folks on your list. Profits from your buying/selling will go to Cambodia to get those girls back in school!!

Conversations with my daughter

My daughter, English, called me tonight to see how my doctor appointment went today. We chatted a little bit and then her husband, Timmy, pipped up in the background asking if she had told me a story. I thought I would share the story...it really made me laugh.

English and Tim were hanging out talking one night

English: Tim, quit farting!
Tim: No.
English: Quit farting...it's gross.
Tim: No. I can't. If I quit farting then all the gas will rise up to my head, and that's where all the crappy ideas come from.

English has found the most perfect husband for her. Here is a conversation I had with English yesterday (just to prove my point of them being perfect for one another)

Me: I have a neurology appointment tomorrw.
English: Awwww, Mom. Is your neurology not working?


I love these two. Thank you both for making me laugh until my sides hurt.

Chinwe

This is my friend, Chinwe. She is one heck of an awsome young lady. Not only is she an amazing Christian woman....she gives awsome hugs! Every time I see her she gives me a hug. It always makes me smile.

Anyway...this is a shout out to Chinwe. Thank you for just being you!

The Baby Stroller

I took the boys to the library today. I have promised Ronnie that I wouldn't buy any more books. I will use the FREE library. The boys love it. This morning I just dropped them off for a few minutes and ran an errand down the street. Since we went last weekend I didn't need any new books (I borrowed 4 last Saturday and haven't finished them all yet).

As I was on my way back to pick up the boys I had to stop at a stop sign. I had to wait a minute for a lady pushing a stroller to cross the street. I wasn't paying attention until she was right in front of me. I looked down at the stroller and sitting in the seat was not a cute little baby. It was a 24 pack of Bud Light.

The south does not have ownership on rednecks. Minnesota has them, too.

Being a Hermit

I hate when I do this. It happens every couple of years. After a while I start to wonder what the Lord has in store for me. It can't be time to move again. I am doing great at work. Ronnie is doing great at work. I just started school (although I could do that from anywhere since all my classes are on line). The boys are participating in things in school that they love. No it can't be moving.

Could it be some other change? I don't think so. Other than wanting to throw all of our un-necessary things away I can't think of any other change that would be getting ready to happen.

Could it be that I am just a weird-o. That could be it. I am weird. A friend of mine talks about how he could live in the middle of Montana with the nearest "neighbor" being miles and miles away and being very happy. I think I could do that, too.

Could it be that I am getting ready for winter? Winter is a "cold" time of year. Not just in temp, but you don't go and do that much because of the weather. You stay indoors most of the time. You don't visit with friends as much during the winter. The weather dictates pretty much all that you do.

Could it be that I am using school as an excuse? I am doing very well in school. I am making a 96% and 95% in the two classes I am taking right now. I will add another class on October 25th. If taking 3 classes goes fine this semester then I will add one more class next semester. BUT, am I using school as an excuse to not be around people? To stay at home as much as possible?

I think that I am a hermit. I am not short, hairy, or mean...nor do I live under a bridge. I am finding that I am being hermit like. Alone a lot of the time. Declining invitations from friends. Trying to not have to go anywhere.

So Lord...what do you have in store for me? What is on the horizon for me? What are you preparing me for?

Homecoming

Tonight is homecoming for two of our cities highschools. John Marshall is where Hunter goes to school and is in 10th grade. The other school, Century, is where Veronica graduated from last year. Hunter was asked to go to Centurys homecoming dance by a friend of his, Nellie (who is an amazing young lady). Hunter and Nellie are great friends and I knew that they would have a good time together.

The other day Hunter and I were talking about tonights plans. Who would drive them, who would pick them up, where were they eating dinner, who was in their group, etc. Standard questions from mother to son. As we were talking Hunter asked me to stay at the resturant during dinner. Of course I said yes. This afternoon I told him that I would go and just get a seat at another table. Hunter told me that I could just sit with all of them. (Really?) I was a little speechless.

Hunter's date was a little late this evening. She had a volleyball tournament to attend, and didn't get home until late. She met us at the resturant. I am so glad that she did. When she finally arrived I was sitting at my table and could watch them. Hunter is such a sweet guy. He gave her a big hug, and then got her flower out to put on her wrist ( I didn't have to remind him). He was patient as she was trying to put his corsage on him. He waited and waited all the while just chating and laughing with her.

Nellie's mom had come in to the resutrant with her so that she could get a couple of pictures. I went over to say hi, and let her know that I was going to be doing the driving tonight and talk about what the kids were going to be doing. I asked Hunter if he had already ordered, and he looked at me as if I had offended him. He said, "No, I had to wait until she got here, but I know what we are ordering." It was funny.

After the corsage was on, Hunter asked her if she wanted to sit down. He pulled her chair out for her and made sure she was all settled before he sat down. What a gentleman. I was a little shocked for a second. Ronnie doesn't do that for me so who taught him this?

I went and sat back down at my table after saying good bye to Nellie's mom and started thinking. This is a boy who will hug his mom no matter where we are. He will wrap his arms around my neck and squeeze me tight. He will say out loud..and it doesn't matter who is around...that he loves me. At the end of every conversation he will tell me that he loves me. With a bunch of kids outside the school tonight he got me to roll down my window and told me he loved me very loudly. He opens the door for me when we are going into a building.

Why was I in shock that he would pull out a chair for his friend? He treats me with so much love...why would I think that he wouldn't be that way with others?

I was very proud of my boy tonight. Very proud of the young man that he is. Very proud of the man that he will be someday. Also, wondering who the young lady will be that will capture his heart one day, and how fortunate she will be to have my son as a husband.

Stuff pouring out of my head

My head is full of stuff. I am going to let it all out.

Ronnie and I are going through Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. Right now I want to beat Dave Ramsey, but thankfully Ronnie is managing most of it so all is well.

I had an MRI of my head last week...and they found stuff in there. AMAZING!

School is going good. I have around a 95% in both classes.

I haven't had a soda in 9 days. I really want a soda right now.

A tree fell on our house this week. No damage, but we are waiting for the other three to fall on the house, too.

All the surrounding areas are flooded. People were being evacuated, sand bagging going on, roads under water, and bridges collapsing. Thankfully it didn't really rain yesterday, but they are calling for more rain this weekend.

English called the other day and asked me my thoughts on grand children. Could I be a grandma in the near future? What would I have my grandkids call me? I have to think on that one.

Ronnie has been working a lot this week. I didn't physically talk to him from 6:30 am on Thursday to 10:30 am on Friday. That is weird.

I got to work in Chatfield on Friday. What a great group of people at the Olmsted Medical Center office down there.

I want to go out and do something today....but I can't think of anything that I actually want to go out and do.

I think we are having a yard sale next weekend. I am once again in that "i want to be a minimalist" stage again.

I am in that "I want to move to a different house" stage, too. why in the world do I always want to move?

I have a bunch of homework to do today...and a quiz...and I really don't want to do it......remember, I want to go out and do something today.

Should I go to the farmers market before Ronnie gets up and buy some more goat milk soap. He wouldn't be mad would he? Dave Ramsey wouldn't be mad would he? Fine! I won't go buy goat milk soap.

Ronnie and I want to take a cruise for our 20th wedding anniversary next year. How in the world do you decide which cruise line to take?

Hunter and Cole have colds. Poor boys.

I can't believe that October is just a week away.

Fall is here in Rochester and I LOVE it!

I want to go to the cities to the Container Store.

I need some wool sweaters to felt, but don't want to spend the money. Do felt sweaters grow on trees anywhere? Didn't think so.

It is 8:20 am and I am already thinking about a nap. There is something wrong with that.

Well there you go. Some ramblings of my head. Stuff just pouring out as I think of them.

Have a great day everyone.

Family Photos

I think that if you have been to our blog before you know that our family loves taking pictures. Well some of us do. Veronica, Ronnie and i like taking pics, but I hate having them taken of me. I come very close to running if a camera is pointing in my direction.

One day Veronica was looking at a site on line and laughing. Of course, being the nosey mother that I am, I had to see what was making her laugh so hard.

She was at http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com

Now our family doesn't always take the greatest family photos. I think Veronica uploaded one onto her facebook page. Oh my gosh! It was horrible. Ronnie and I had the same haircut. Not pretty at all.

Well go check out the family photos. Some of them may make you think that your's aren't so bad.

School

I am a student again. 24 years after graduating high school I thought that I should go to college. What in the world was I thinking? Actually, everything is going pretty smoothly. So I didn't pass a test...so what?! I have gotten 100% on everything else. Actually I have gotten 100% on all my class work in both of my classes so that should help out that first test. Ronnie loves the fact that I am a Student of Health Information Technology. Get it? Well he thinks it is funny.

Not only am I in school, but the boys will be going back next Tuesday. I can't beleive how fast this summer has gone by. It seemed like summer was in a big hurry to come and go.

I really can't wait to be sitting in the dining room with the boys this winter with all of us doing out homework. Hopefully Ronnie will be joining us the spring semester. My hope is that he will be retunring to school, too. He really needs to get his master degree...or something else. It would be fun with all of us gathered together doing our school work. Then when I get to my math class it will be fun sitting around watching the boys do my math homework. That is my plan anyway.

That is what I have been doing...school. That is why I am not on here much anymore...school. That is why i won't be on here much in the future...school. I do have to admit. I am loving school this time 1000% more than I did in high school.

A Little Story

So the story goes like this....

Backstory: Ronnie, Cole and I were in the living room watching some forgetable tv show. The phone rang. Ronnie picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID.

Ronnie said to whoever would listen, "Elizabeth Anderson? Who is Elizabeth Anderson?"

Because she was listening, Ebby said, "Thats English (our daughter) you big dummy!"

Ronnie said, "OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" as he smacked himself in the forehead. Then he proceeded to answer the phone while laughing really hard.

Thankfully, as he shared the story with English she laughed, too.

I laughed, rolled my eyes, and left the room.

THE END

Happy 15th Birthday, Hunter

Today is Hunter Ray's birthday.

Hope you have had a great day!! We love you!!

Road Trip

Even though Ronnie was exhausted and jet lagged after returning from Cambodia he indulged me this past Sunday. I told him I would drive if he would just ride along. We headed over to Nelson, Wisconsin after church and toured around the country side. We then went to the Stone Barn resturant outside of Nelson. Oh My Goodness! Not only was the food delicious, but the resturant was so cool.

The best part of the day was that I got to spend 6+ hours with my husband. No cell phones, no computers, no one else....just the two of us riding along and having great conversation. It was wonderful!

Anyway....during the afternoon we would stop so Ronnie could snap some pics.

Ronnie, Cambodia, and a Pilot

My husband left for Cambodia on July 13. He and 9 other people traveled to Poipet (upper left hand side of the country) for a mission trip. This is Ronnie's third time to Cambodia. In the past he has spent time in Phnom Penh and down on the coast in the southern part of the country.

If you would like to see some pictures from their trip you can go to: http://www.ccccambodia2010.blogspot.com/

I was parking the car at the airport on the 13th when I saw a gentleman that goes to our church. He is a pilot and does over seas flights. I didn't put two and two together at first. Yes, he was flying our missions team over seas to their first stop in Tokyo. For some reason I was so excited about this news. He is a very neat Christian man and his family is wonderful. This morning I found out that he is also flying them back from Tokyo.

Well, I just got off the phone with Ronnie. He is exhausted, hot, sweaty, and having a hard time eating, BUT he is having a great time. He really loves the worship time when everyone sings at the top of their lungs. He said that sometimes he can't sing during those times because all he wants to do is listen to them worship.

Ronnie will be returning to Minnesota this coming Friday. I can't wait to see him. He has been gone way to long!!

Dance Lessons

All of my family members are off galavanting...all over actually. Ronnie is in Cambodia. English is back in California after make a week long pit stop in Washington state to visit with Timmy's family. Veronica has moved to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hunter and Cole are also in North Myrtle Beach, SC for a month visiting my mom and step dad.

My mom was so worried that the boys were going to be bored. No way! Hunter has friends from when we lived there two years ago, and Cole pretty much tries to go with the flow.

This past week was Jr. SOS..Jr. Society of Shaggers (at least that is what I think it stands for). This is a east coast dance that was modified from the Lindy Hop back in the 50's (again I am not sure of the exact time frame, but this is close). It is a "smooth" dance. There was a movie that came out back in the 80's called "The Shag" with some of my old class mates in it. This is a dance I never took the time to learn. My parents though are VERY good dancers and are both in the Hall of Fame.

Anyway, back to Jr. SOS. My sep dad, Walt, took all three kids down to Jr. SOS for some dance lessons. They all enjoyed it and went back each day for more lessons. Yesterday was a little end of the week exhibition for all of the jr. dancers. The kids could ask anyone that they wanted to dance. Hunter asked my mom.

Oh how I wish i could have been there to watch the dance. The boys want to go out again next year for Jr. SOS. I am definately going to go with them.

All together!

I finally had all of my children under one roof this weekend. Of course I made them all go and take pictures together. My mom and I wandered around dowtown Rochester, while Ronnie and the kids went and found some spots to take pictures. It took a while to get serious, but they finally got some good ones.

My mom, Beth and I waiting for everyone to get finished.

Seriously? On the goose? Seriously?!?!?!

This wasn't a wade pool. It was one of the fountains dowtown.
Hunter decided to go check out the dolphine in the fountain. Again....seriously?!

I honesly have no idea

Poor Tim (my soon to be son-in-law)

This is Ninja...English had just left and he was looking for her.

English and Tim....and the flying boy.
All my kiddos

English and Tim.

Skipping? Must have been English's idea.

Awwwww......English, Tim and the engagement ring

The dogs were hiding

Phantom

My Little Guy

We have had so many things happening in our family lately. One of those things is that we no longer have a child in elementary school. Cole will go to the middle school next year. We are finally down to two schools.

Happy Birthday English!

Yes, I am a day late with this post. I feel horrible. But....

Happy Happy 22nd Birthday, English!!!

We love you very much! I can't wait for you to get here so I can squeeze you!

This is English and her fiance, Tim.

Graduation

See this family below? This family yelled loud enough to get this girl below..... To smile like this on stage while graduating.

After the ceremony it was a little like "where's waldo?" only we were trying to find Veronica.
We found her!Finally we got to be with our graduate!

Pics with the whole family.... Uncle Mike, Aunt Deanna, cousins Sam, Grace and Jessie all came up from Kentucky for graduation. We had a great weekend with them.

Hugs for Mama Jensen...(that's Jennifer Jensen for those of you who don't know that Jennifer is Veronica's other mother)

Finally, she is done with high school. Yea Veronica! Awsome job!

Happy 18th Birthday, Veronica

Happy 18th Birthday......Veezy Mil....V-Ray...Vern...Vernie...Veronica....Victoria...V...Roni...Mac...

We love you very much!

Truth

Continuing on with our devotionals...and let me say that I love my friend for sending me this each day...we will be meditating on truth for a couple of days. She sent me this yesterday:

Today let’s think about whatever is true. Concentrate on being truthful all day and be in prayer that God stop our tongues before it says things that we KNOW are untruthful. I’m surprised at how many times a day I can “white lie” sometimes. I want to be conscious of all my thoughts, words and actions today and that they represent and glorify God. I also pray that God impress His truth upon us and guard our mind against itself really. It’s so easy to imply, infer, and create truth. I want only God’s truth in my head. So rather than assume I know what someone REALLY means, I want God’s almighty truth and wisdom to press upon me.

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

This is from Webster’s original 1828 dictionary before political correctness came into play:

TRUE, a.

1. Conformable to fact; being in accordance with the actual state of things; as a true relation or narration; a true history. A declaration is true, when it states the facts. In this sense, true is opposed to false.

2. Genuine; pure; real; not counterfeit, adulterated or false; as true balsam; the true bark; true love of country; a true Christian.

--The true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1.

3. Faithful; steady in adhering to friends, to promises, to a prince or to the state; loyal; not false, fickle or perfidious; as a true friend; a true lover; a man true to his king, true to his country, true to his word; a husband true to his wife; a wife true to her husband; a servant true to his master; an officer true to his charge.

4. Free from falsehood; as a true witness.

5. Honest; not fraudulent; as good men and true.

If king Edward be as true and just--

6. Exact; right to precision; conformable to a rule or pattern; as a true copy; a true likeness of the original.

7. Straight; right; as a true line; the true course of a ship.

8. Not false or pretended; real; as, Christ was the true Messiah.

9. Rightful; as, George IV is the true king of England.

Traning Your Mind

Lately I have had some pretty negative things happen in my life. Nothing devastating, but I found myself thinking about them alot. I mean a lot!

A friend of mine was going through a lot of the same things as I was and she sent me this scripture:

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

And shared with me....True, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy things. When your mind is training to look for such a list the negative become harder to see.

I saw a devotional in the making so I asked her to expound on it for me.

You literally have to retrain the neurons in your brain when you are developing a new thought. So when you intentionally focus on what is good, you are working your neurons so hard that the bad isn’t seen as much. These aren't my thoughts, I’m stealing them from John Ortberg’s book "Me". I am refusing to let the negative take plant in my brain so that I can instead make way for the positive, which what God put out for us to think on, pure, noble, right, etc.

After she sent this to me we decided that Lovely was the word of the day. Focus on whatever is lovely to you. I am looking out my front window as I type and I can see all kinds of lovely-ness. God's creation is all around us at any given moment. My kids, husband, and extended family are all lovely to me. Thinking about God's continuous and never ending blessings is lovely.

So what is lovely to you today? Meditate on those things as you go about your day.

Deep Thoughts with Ebby Ray

So lets have some deep thoughts.....nah! You know me...I am not one for deep thoughts.

But I do wonder why us ladies get so upset when the toilet seat is left up? This is been going on for years and years. Why do we get so upset about it?

Why don't men get upset with us for leaving the toilet seat down? Why is it so acceptable for the toilet seat to be down but not up?

Isn't the universal sign that a toilet is clean is for the toilet seat to be left up? You go into resturants and the seat is up, BUT that is ok. Go into a school and the toilet seat is up, BUT that is ok. Go into the hospital and the toilet seat is up, BUT that is ok.

What is up with that?

I asked the boys in my house something about the toilet seat being up, and Hunter asked me why I didn't put it up after I was finished using the restroom.

Good point, son!

So there you go. That is as deep as the thoughts get with Ebby Ray.

What Color?

Last night was the final meeting for a bible study I was part of. One of the ladies shared her gift of writing poetry with us.

What Color?

What color is Patience?

As pastel blue as a robin's egg, tucked safely in the nest.

What color is Peace?

As dusky purple as the shadows cast curing the last light on a mountain.

What color is Gentleness?

As white and sparkling as the first snow of the year. Falling so lightly gathering on the dry oak leaves, barely hanging on the trees.

What color is Kindness?

As creamy brown as cookie dough. Promising a wonderful treat to share.

What color is Goodness?

As pink as the skin of a newborn baby. Perfect and glowing, made by God's hand.

What color is Faithfulness?

As grey as the rocks on a well worn path. Rocks surrounded and held in place by packed earth to hold them during our life walk.

What color is Self Control?

As flashy as the yellow caution sign. Warning us to be still and know that through Him all things are possible.

What color is Joy?

As vibrant green as the leaves of brave spring flowers. Breaking through the cold ground greeted by the warm sunshine.

What color is Love?

As shiny and golden as amber. Warm and comforting, keeping our hearts full forever.

What color is Hope?

As red as the sky sunset. Promising a fresh new day, never seen by any eyes, but perfectly planned for us.

Where art thou June and July

I have some great things coming up in my life. I can't wait for June to get here...June 12th to be exact. My second oldest child will be graduating from high school. What a milestone in our lives. I am so proud of Veronica. This year she worked on the year book, she designed the t-shirt for the school play, and now she is an intern for a local photography studio (I will write more about that later). Graduation...is just around the corner. In July another great thing is happening. English will be coming to Minnesota for a visit. She will be returning from Kuwait in June then she and her guy, Tim, are coming out to see us. It has been way too long since I have been able to hug my little girl. Well I guess I shouldn't call her that anymore...she turns 22 in June. She's not so little anymore.

I thought that I would include these pictures of English over in Kuwait. I feel so bad for her having to work so hard out in the desert. How can then be so cruel to my little girl?

This is the scarf English wears during sand storms. Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles! I wonder where my kids get their goofiness?
I really can't wait for June and July. This is going to be a great summer! Even better that my mom will be here in July and my mother-in-law, Jan, may possibly be here at the end of May. What a great summer this is going to be!

A camera kind of day

Today was a camera kind of day.

Hunter and a little friend at church