Is it really 2010?

WOW! You know it has been a long time since you have posted when you type in the wrong site to get to your own blog.

Since FB came about I really cut back on my blog. I figured I update enough there that I really don't have much to add to the blog.

I have been debating as to what I even wanted to do with the blog. My big idea for 2010 was to blog a new cookie every day this year. Well since it is 2/7/10 and I have not even made one new cookie yet this year, I might have to re-think that idea.

I did set a few goals for my life this year -

• Spiritual

1. I would like to study a few different books of the Bible. Starting with James. I bought a study guide and will be starting that on 2/15.
2. I am finally starting a Bible Study at our church - Premium Roast with Ruth by Sandra Glahn.

• Physical

1. My husband & I started a new workout program. We get up every morning at 5 am and workout before he goes to work. We are 6 weeks into and have not missed a day yet.
2. Eating Healthier - we eat healthy to begin with so basically this was not that big of a change in our lives. We just cut out a few things that seemed to be bothering us now that we have gotten a little older.

• Family

1. My kids amaze me at their knowledge of the Bible. This year we wanted to make our prayer time more affective with them. We started a family prayer journal. Teaching and showing how God answers our prayers. They are enjoying being able to highlight answered prayer each night.

• Business

1. I really would like to see my business grow this year. I am going to add a few new items - dessert cakes and specials each month.
2. To get into three more locations and increase our wedding sales.

God has blessed our family the past year and we are looking forwarded to this year and what He has planned for us. My goals might not be what He has for me, but I will continue to seek Him as I go through out the year and see where He has me go with my list.

Long Time

Boy, it has been a long time since I posted. I am sure no one even noticed. The months have just been flying by here in our house.

Summer is almost over and we are getting ready for our annual beach trip with Grandpa and Grandma.

The kids got to go on their first summer trip by themselves this past month. 8 days in NC with my family. At first when we were planning it - I thought this is going to be great. Michael and I don't get a chance to be "kid free" over night let alone 8 days of "kid free". We had made all these great plans for the week. As it got closer to saying good bye to the kids, my thoughts changed. Can I send them off to another state? Will they miss us too much? What if they get hurt or have an asthma attack? I kept asking - are you sure you want to go? YES WE DO!!! So with bags packed and lots of hidden tears from mommy - I sent them on their way.

The first few days were so strange - just the two of us. I think by the third night we just sat and ate in silence. I asked Michael - did we run out of things to talk about? He said he was just enjoying the quietness of our meal.

By the weekend, things had changed. Michael hurt his back and Marah started to get a cough. I of course started to worry. After stopping and giving it over to the Lord and two breathing treatments she seemed to be better. Michael on the other hand was not getting any better and all our "fun" plans came to a stop. After two doctor appointments and a day off work, things still were not improving.

We headed to NC on Thursday night and it was a rough trip down. With lots of stops, stretching, icing and pain pills - we made it in around 1 am.

The rest of the weekend was rough. We officially declared this trip - the "worse" trip of our lives. Michael was in so much pain. He could not sit or stand and sleeping was not working well for him. We decided to make our trip back in two days.

I don't do well when Michael is sick or hurt. He is the stable one in the house. I have lived with a back problem for over 5 years and I knew by looking at him the amount of pain he was in. That consent level of pain and the lack of relief just wears on you.

We made it back home in time to get into the doctors office. We finally were given a reason for all the pain - a compressed disc. After two rounds of treatment that week and some proper exercises - Michael was feeling better. This week he has been able to put his socks on and bend over and touch his toes. So thankful that he is improving.

We are happy to have the kids home. And are grateful for the time we had even though it did not go according to our plans. God had a different week planned for us. Teaching me - patience with a hurt husband. Letting my kids grow and trusting that whatever happens - God is in control of our lives.

New Year

I have been avoiding my blog for weeks. Basically because I felt I had nothing to blog about. The holidays were insanely busy, I baked way too many cookies, ate way too much junk, painted my kitchen, slept in a lot, shopped too much and visited every long lost relative I had.

I was just happy to survive the Holidays without any visits to Med Express or Children's Hospital. The first one in two years. We all were able to attend Christmas dinner as a family at my grandma's house. Christmas at my grandparents was always a favorite of mine growing up. I really enjoyed being able to spend the day with some of my younger cousins, my aunts and uncles.

We have started a new year here at our home with some resolutions and lists to do's. We are off to a good start with them all. Some are a little harder than others, like the no TV rule during the school week. I really thought the kids would fight me on this one, but we made it through the first week. We are happier when it comes to homework time and more focused on the tasks around the house.

We enjoyed a visit from my mom. The kids always enjoy having Nana here. This time the good byes were hard on the kids. Marah did not want any one to talk about Nana for a few days because it just made her miss her more.

We added a new member to our family while Nana was here. Charlie, the fish. Marah got an early birthday gift from Nana and Pap. It took several days before Marah decided to name him Charlie and gave up on the name Rainbow.

So far 2009 has been uneventful in our household. I hope to get back to blogging more and crossing off items on my 2009 list.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We have been enjoying the Christmas Season with Family and Friends. We spent Christmas Eve at Church and Christmas Day with Family. Here are a few photos of what we have been doing this week.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

from

Michael, Rachel, Grant & Marah

O Give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good:
because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 118:1

How Many More Days Til Christmas?

You know it is getting close to Christmas in my house when....

The Christmas tree is up on November 16th.

I am asked to add that to my list at least once a day.

Toy Wish Books start arriving at Halloween.

The kitchen is stacked with lots of baking ingredients.

Dominick the Christmas Donkey - is played at breakfast time - 5 TIMES!

Run, Run Rudolph is listened to, 3 times on the way to school.

One Last Trip

We made one last trip away this past weekend. I wish I could report that I stayed at a Five Star Hotel with a warm bed, clean sheets, room service and a spa treatment. Instead we headed for the hills and camped in a tent. I must admit we did have fun.

We camp with a great group of friends at a nice site. So I knew I could make it two nights in a tent. What I did not know was that they started to close the shower houses at 10:00pm til 6:00am each night due to something gross that some campers were doing. So when I found out that after 10:00pm I had to either go to the woods or use a port a jon - I was not a "happy camper"!

After we all set up our tents - we started a fire and Chef Tom started dinner - After dinner we decided to head over to the camp dance and enjoyed watching the kids dance. Marah entertained us all with a frog she found and caused one member of our group to pee their pants from laughing so hard. After that we decided to head back and get the kids settled in for a movie in their tent. Around 11:00pm all the kids were asleep and I realized I had to use the restroom - some decided to head for the woods but I decided to try out the port a jon. So Michael and I headed up the road with a flashlight and found a smelly - but clean one to use.

Around midnight we decided we all better get to bed. That is when I remember why I don't camp much - Marah woke up and wanted back in our tent. Then Grant woke up and moved back in with us as well. So we had two kids and a large air mattress in a small tent. I eventually moved Grant in bed with us and covered Marah over with all the other blankets. I ended up in between Grant and Michael - which kept me warm - but I think I got maybe two hours of sleep. I lost feeling in my right leg, Marah kept waking up talking and confused, Grant kept hitting me in the face and Michael just snored away.

Finally 6 am came and I got to use the shower house. I started some coffee and eventually by 7:30 am the rest of the group was up and Chef Tom was making us breakfast. Michael held a small church service for us and the kids said Bible verses for chocolate bars.

We spent the day around the fire, pool, playing corn hole and many trips down the hill to the restroom. We had a total of seven kids - ages 2-8. They played great together and we only had a few injuries along the way - that our "safety engineer Jason" took care of.

Part way through the day I got sick - so Michael decided we should pack up our gear and plan on leaving around 9 pm. The kids were disappointed but we told them that they were only missing sleeping in a cold tent.

We had one last meal prepared by our Chef Tom and decided to call the weekend "Meat Fest 2008".

It was an enjoyable weekend and I must admit I did have fun and will be back next year.

First Day

Today was our first day of school. Grant entered 2nd Grade and Marah started full-day kindergarten. I was a bit nervous not knowing how Marah would do getting on the bus - but she got on without any tears - (mommy handled that area).

I spent most of the day wondering how they both did - especially Marah. When I meet them at the bus stop after school this is what their comments were:

Grant: I love second grade - I did not even get in trouble!
Mom, were you worried about Marah all day - I could tell in your eyes when we pulled away.

Marah: You were crying?!!
Grant did not keep his butt in the bus seat (a rule we went over last night)
When I asked what her favorite part of the day was: She said the only thing I remember was art class and I liked it!

Marah is looking forward to tomorrow and Grant is sad that his one friend did not return this year. Daddy and Mommy can't believe we already have homework!

Camp Out

Last year we went camping twice -a big step for someone like me - who HATES to camp. My idea of camping was the Hilton Inn, but I stepped outside of my comfort zone and went. Our friends assured me that we would stay at a nice, clean and safe campsite. - Meaning No Bears!

We had no camping gear -so we had to buy a tent and an air mattress - two important items to camp with. The first time we went it was awful! I did not pack enough blankets for us and we slept on a slope all night - well I sat up and cried most of the night. At one point Grant woke up and said -I can't sleep like this it is too cold! But we survived and I was crazy enough to try it again the following month. This time we stayed two nights and had level ground and a better air mattress and lots of blankets. Our friends were proud of me because I think we only showered once all weekend! Yikes!

We were the loudest group at the campsite and I believe the only crazy ones in tents. Everyone else had campers. So as soon as the sun came up (6:00am) - so did 7 kids. Yelling I am hungry, lets go swimming and I want a ride on the golf cart!

We have not had a chance to camp this year -So last night we decided at the last minute to camp out in our back yard. After much running around and pulling out all the camp gear we were all set up by 8:30. We had the fire going and eating ice cream. The kids thought it was the greatest thing ever. Once again I was reminded that I really am not made to camp. I was too cold, the air mattress kept losing air and my back was killing me! So finally at 5 am my wonderful husband said - Go ahead and go inside and sleep in the bed - I will stay out here with the kids! He is the greatest! Grant, Mike and I got up at 7 am - moving very slowly and Marah - well she slept til after 8 am - something about that camp air!

After my three camp experiences I found the must have items you need to camp with:

Three room tent
High end air mattress with flannel Sheets and lots of blankets!
Hooded sweatshirts
Flash Lights
Coffee Pot
Marshmallows
A hat - because there is not flat irons allowed
A TV - which I did not know was a camping item until we showed up last year and they pulled one out of their car!
Roasting Sticks - A must have to cook all meals on.
Shower Shoes - which I swore I would never stay at a place that requires you to wear when you bathed.
Lots of junk food!

Now last night Grant set up his side of the tent. His requirements were:

sleeping bag, pillow, his raccoon, blankie, a chair, karate belt, lightsaber, and a cell phone.

Well I survived another camp out - and I might try it again this weekend.

Traveling

We decided at the last minute to leave for our vacation on Thursday night at 8:30 instead of Friday morning. We were all ready and thought - hey lets jump in the car drive about 4 hours and stop and then drive another 3 and stop in to visit with my sister. It sounded so good at the time. 2 minutes into the trip we almost hit a deer, 3 hours into the trip the "check engine" light came on in my very new 2008 Kia, and then once we got into Beckley it took us three stops to finally find a hotel that had a room.

We had a lot of fun spending the day with my sister at her new home in NC. I realized what I want for Christmas now.
My nephew got an ATV for his birthday and I think I had just as much fun as the kids did.

I don't want a Guinea Pig - even though Star was cute and sat with us all day.

We left my sisters house around 8:30pm and headed over to Florence, SC to meet up with my in-laws.

More to come...............

Back to School

I hate to see summer come to an end, but I love to shop for back to school items - clothes, backpacks, pencils, glue........... I see all those supplies and I just love it! I always loved as a kid to go and get my backpack, all the paper items and oh the new shoes!!

My kids get so excited over the smallest items. I buy them a pencil and it is the greatest thing ever in their lives. About two weeks ago we were at the Village and found the backpacks and lunch boxes. You would have thought I gave them each a million dollars. They wore those backpacks for days around the house. Talking about how they were going to place their school items in there and how neat it is that the lunch bag fits right in the front - awesome!!!Yesterday morning I got an email from the school saying we could come and get the "back to school packets" - I got all excited - the supply list would be in there!! We went and spent about an hour at the store picking out all the new supplies we would need for the year - debating on normal crayons or the twisty crayons - twisty won the vote.

This year Grant will be in second grade and he got to pick out his first three ring binder. Which I might add - there is not a big selection of cool designs for boys - so we settled for a black binder. Marah decided to get a dog folder that looks like our neighbors dog Daisy. Oh the decisions we were faced with yesterday.

When we got back home we spent about 20 minutes sorting the items and packing up our backpacks.
We start school on August 26th. Grant will be in second grade and Marah will be in all day kindergarten. This year I will be the sobbing mommy at the bus stop sending my baby girl off to school. Even though we had a fun day of getting our supplies - I am not ready for school to start.

Wordless Wednesday

School Starts in 20 days.
Are you ready?

To view other Wordless Wednesdays - visit http://www.5minutesformom.com

Fear at 5

Nothing frightens you more at 4:00 am than hearing a child yelling DADDYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! As if they are being attacked by some evil monster. Our daughter Marah has always been frightened of loud noises - whether it is a big truck, fireworks, or a storm.



So when we were woken at 4 am today with her yelling in a big panic about the storm that neither of us heard - we thought she totally lost it!

Poor Marah has shaking and we were telling her there is no storm! When Grant walks in and goes - huh, don't tell Marah, but I just saw lightening out my window - can we sleep in the basement?

So off we go - bedding, stuffed animals, blankies, and two crazy kids. After we got everyone settled into their new bed - mom and dad headed back upstairs to try and get some sleep. Still no storm - at 4:30 am they were still up - at 5:00 am Grant decided he was too hungry to sleep and came upstairs to get us - after some fruit I never heard them again til 9:00 am!

Wordless Wednesday

7 yr old boys...........

To view other Wordless Wednesdays - visit http://www.5minutesformom.com

Weekend Fun

We started off with getting the news that Marah is healed of her kidney reflux - so no more medicine and awful tests!!! PRAISE GOD!

We attended the Washington Wild Things Game with our Church.

Stayed for the fireworks

On Saturday we went and saw - Todd Jones Band - with a group of friends.

Get inside that head

Trying to entertain Grant and Marah today - I told Grant that I saw aliens hanging upside down in the front tree. He asked what color were they? Purple with green dots. Well mom they are really evil monsters not aliens. So off he went with super soaker in hand and defeated them all for me.
Then we noticed that there were red with orange dots Monster Aliens hanging off my yard tent. So once again my son saved the day while Marah sang away at them.

Wordless Wednesday

I love my Daddy

To view other Wordless Wednesdays - visit http://www.5minutesformom.com

Little Ears

We have had a busy week - my parents are in from Florida, we bought a car and I have been baking cookies like crazy for weddings and graduation parties. Plus we hosted our annual 4th of July picnic with our church family.

All week the weather has not looked good. They were calling for rain - 70% chance of rain. If everyone came I would have 15 kids (under the age of 8) and 18 adults. I must have said - 15 kids all under the age of 8 too many times this past week - Because Friday morning Grant came in all excited -saying today is the 4th of July and remember we will have 15 kids all under the age of 8!
We ended up with 11 kids all under the age of 8 and 14 adults (and two babies due in August). The kids were wonderful, we only had one injury, and about 10 minutes of rain. Michael did some fireworks for the kids and we had lots of good food. We are truly blessed with a wonderful group of friends from our Church.

Nightmare of buying a new car

Our van is a 1997 and we thought we would like to replace it before our vacation. We have been searching the web for cars and decided this month to go out and test drive cars. We went over to Enterprise - they have a "No Haggle" policy and they don't work on commission. They left out - "we won't let you leave" policy on their list! All we wanted to do was test drive the car and leave - figuring since they don't haggle - should not be a problem - WRONG!

My wonderful husband HATES to car shop - due to the fact that you have to end up being mean or rude to the salesman to get away - two things he does not do. So it took me a week to get him to test drive again

Second test drive: We headed over to a local use car lot in South Park. Compared to Enterprise -it was a wonderful experience. They let us go out on the test drive on our own, offered more than what we had thought on our trade in and let us leave without even asking for a name or phone number!! I fell in love with the Pacifica. We decided to take it over to our mechanic - things went down hill from there - the report was bad - DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!!

Third test drive(s): One Saturday we headed over to the local Dodge dealer to test drive several cars. Nothing seemed to be right for us. I had to laugh when the salesman said - well we came in "close" to your monthly payment - NOT! So again we came back home and started the long search again.

Fourth test drive: AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This might have been the worse experience yet. The salesman had no clue about what he was selling and came no where close to were we wanted. Then when he came close and we still said no - he acted worse than my 7 year old. He stood up and stomped off - which was kind of funny considering the buyer usually is the one that gets up and walks out.

Car shopping can be torturous! And that is what our past month has been like. We have been at over 10 dealerships and test drove over 15 cars.

This past Saturday we decided to make one final stop at our local KIA dealer. Not really thinking we would find anything. We meet a salesman - that was very nice and told him we would be back on Monday with my dad to look over the car.

We returned last night and test drove three more cars. We decided to have him run the numbers on the "demo" car in the show room and three hours later it was sitting in my driveway!

We have really spent the past few months praying over this purchase. I started to pray a few months ago that God would provide a car for us and to make the decision clear and give us the peace about it. Each test drive - I would walk away knowing that this was not the car - at times I would get frustrated but then I would go back to God seeking Him. It is so amazing what you learn through pray. I have been reading - "Let Prayer Change Your Life" - and prayer has. God has become so real to me the past few months and seeing Him lead us through this decision has been awesome.

Heaven - seen through the eyes of Grant & Marah

What Heaven will look like - by Grant

After Grant had a spiritual discussion at church with his friend, Alexa - he was very worried all day about Jesus coming back, taking the saved to Heaven and sending the unsaved to hell and then destroying the earth. Michael told him not to worry about it - you won't even be here.

Today on our way to swim lessons Heaven was brought up again and they had so many questions:

Are there cars in Heaven?
What kind of clothes are we going to have in Heaven?
What kind of house will we have?
Is Nana & Pap going to be there?
Is Jesus going to have food there for us? (Marah's)

Some other topics that were brought up by Grant:

"Wonder if David will let me play with his slingshot. And if he will have any sheep up there with him that I could pet - since I have never done that before. Is Noah's Ark going to be there?"

And Marah hopes that Goliath is not there because that would be scary!

I asked the kids what they thought Heaven would be like:
Grant - It is going to be beautiful with streets of Gold.
Marah - Jesus will love us.

So what do you think Heaven will be like?