We are family...I got all my cousins with me!

I finally had an evening where I was in bed before midnight (in fact, I was in bed before 11) - and I can't sleep. So, I'll blog.

Last Thursday, I headed out to Brighton to meet up with a big chunk of my mom's side of the family. My cousin Laura was in town from the Navy, which only happens a couple times a year and I usually miss her when she comes. I don't get out that way much, so I brought the camera and a pair of heels...totally had a ton of fun! Even singing Karaoke from a cheap, out-dated TV plug-in set @ my mom's was fun....

Aww....Laura Jeane the beauty queen. Miss this girl!

The whole gang @ Memories

Me, Holly-wolly, and Alex

Laura, Holly (who was working as our server), and me

Laura, Aunt Terri, Me, Mom, Dolly, Aunt Dar

Tomorrow, I will post some pictures of my weekend in St. Louis! I'm gonna try to catch some Zzz's....

My life according to Rascal Flatts

Just thought this was fun...

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to other people you like and include me. Try not to use the band I used, and try not to repeat a song title. (It's a lot harder than you think!) Repost as "My life according to..."


Pick your artist: Rascal Flatts


Are you a male or female?: Help Me Remember


Describe yourself: Long Slow Beautiful Dance


How do you feel?: Backwards


Describe where you currently live: Oklahoma Texas Line


If you could go anywhere, where would you go?: Where You Are


Your favorite form of transportation: Fast Cars and Freedom


Your best friend is: Like I Am


Your favorite color is: Red, White, and Blue


What's the weather like?: Cool Thing


Favorite time of day: Prayin' For Daylight


If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?: Too Good is True


What is life to you?: The Glory of Life


Your relationship(s): This Everyday Love


Your fear: What Hurst the Most


What is the best advice you have to give?: Things that Matter


If you could change your name, you would change it to: You


Thought for the day: Love Who You Love


How you would like to die: Fallin' Upside Down


Your soul's present condition: Still Feels Good


Your motto: God Bless the Broken Road

Kitchen Update #783

Okay, so maybe I have updated THAT many times about my kitchen, but it sure feels that way (and I'm sure you're all sick of hearing about it!) It's been a slow....and I mean sllloooowww makeover between all the set backs, busy schedules, etc. But, alas, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We still have no running water or working sink or dishwasher, but that IS the next step. Here's what we've completed this week:

Jeremy rolling on the finish (doing the countertop ourselves was a BIG project, but saved us a lot of money)

Using the router to cut beautiful edges...

And TADA! I'm so impressed with the hubs, who knew he was so handy? Now, we still have to glue and cut the back splash, but first things first....

Let's get this sink in! This cut was a pain for some reason

But we got the sink in!!! Hopefully tonight while I'm working, the hubs will be able to hook up the plumbing and get the sink and dishwasher up and running! I may be doing cartwheels on my way home tonight!!! =]

To the Love of my Life

7 years ago today, I had a conversation with this really cute guy that happened to be one of my best friends, about our futures and where we were headed (at the time, we were both headed down dead end roads). And that's the day I realized I wanted my future to involve him...

6 years ago today, I married that man. No greater blessing has fallen on me. Through ups and downs, struggles and triumphs, this wonderful man has been my best friend, my rock, my shoulder, my protection, and my love. It's funny to think even though neither of us would imagine being where we are at this point in our lives (so many goals we missed, financial struggles, etc.) and yet, I wouldn't trade any of the last 6 years. While some doors were closed, much better ones were opened. I truly believe that 'sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together' (Thank you, Marilyn Monroe)

I've said it before, but God sent an angel to me in a dark time in my life when I needed it the most, and I've had the privilege of becoming his wife. He's saved my life in so many more ways than even he realizes, and I'm so honored to be by his side.

I love you baby, with all that I am. Happy Anniversary!

Mini album #2 complete

Alright, so I know that if you follow my blog, you've seen these pictures before of Caleb, but I finally finished his 'year 2' mini-album and I'm so proud of them, I have to share! Caleb's album turned out really fun, I decided to stick with a one-paper theme. Because the album is so small, it's hard to find room for journaling, but it was fun to be creative on ways to do it!

The cover...'Caleb turns 2' - I LOVE the clock idea:

'Caleb is 2' - My man's ginormous hands and a little note from mommy:

'Silly stories about Caleb' - This page isn't quite finished yet, cause I haven't decided on the last really funny story:

'What I love about Caleb @ 2' - The two cards are tucked into the paper, so you can take them out and read more journaling (there's A LOT I love about this little guy):

'Caleb's favorite things' - Pretty self-explanatory...all the things Caleb loves @ this age:

There's a little green ribbon under Caleb's picture that flips the picture up to reveal a poem called 'Why God made little boys':

'My prayer for you' - The 'Live, Laugh, Love' tag swivels and has some journaling hidden behind it:

'Letters for you' - Obviously, the envelope holds birthday letters from Mommy and Daddy:

The back: Simple, and complete!

Summa Summa Summatime!

It FINALLY feels like summer these last few weeks.

Maybe it's cause the weather's been abnormally cool for June/July...

Maybe cause I haven't done much outside of the house...

Either way, I've finally been able to enjoy it summer the way it's meant to be enjoyed. Over the last two weeks, we've gone swimming, been to the park, watched Daddy play baseball, played in the backyard, laid out in the sun (just me, not the kids), had a picnic, went a graduation party, had a bonfire....I'm lovin' it!

I haven't even gotten to the weekend yet...we're hangin' at the pool tomorrow with Holly-Wolly, and working on the kitchen counters tomorrow night. Saturday is full of cleaning/playing in the backyard/cook-out/baseball games. And Sunday is TBA (but it'll be something fun, I assure you...I'm just not planning it.)

Love me some summatime!

Cedar Point

I had a CRAZY weekend...it was a ton of fun. It started off on Thursday, really, taking the kids swimming, trying to get a TB test (a failed attempt), and PT rehearsal. Friday, I went back and finally did the TB test, got a registry clearance, did some shopping, and had the best night @ work. Saturday, we got up and cleaned the house like crazy, went to my cousin Holly's graduation party, then headed to the Graney's for more PT practice and a BBQ/Bonfire. My sister-in-law came into town Saturday night (along with Jer's parents) so that we could go to Cedar Point yesterday!

We had a great day. The weather was perfect. A little on the warm side if you were standing in the direct sun with no wind, but the breeze was beautiful. I usually hate going to CP this time of year, because it's right in the middle of summer and it's always busy.....plus, Mel has never been to CP so I would hate to spend the whole day in line and not get to ride most everything.

Well, we rode EVERYTHING! The lines were reasonable. The longest wait we had was about an hour for the Dragster, and only because they shut it down TWICE while we were in line. We were finished riding everything by 8pm and decided to head home since Mel still had to drive 4 hours home after our 3 hour drive from CP to my house!

I realized I'm getting older because I can't handle CP like I used to. I still LOVE the rides, I'm just not as willing to wait in line forever for them. Plus, I was so tired most of the day, and could barely drive home. But I'm so glad I finally got to go, it's been two years! (I went to King's Island last year) And, I finally got to ride the Maverick, which was awesome!

Great way to end a great weekend!

Officially unofficial

I'm not sure when this becomes 'official' but I think it's safe to finally announce to the blog world:

I got a new job!!!!

Not just any job, a job as a preschool teacher! I will still work @ East Side my two evenings a week, since this preschool position is only part-time, but I'm so thrilled! What's even more thrilling is that this job totally came to me. I've been trying to find a way to earn more money without having to leave East Side, cause I really do love it there, but things weren't looking good. The new preschool position is perfect. It's part-time, it's extra money, it's related to my degree, and Faith will be in my class! That's right, I will be heading up the three year old class. I haven't got all the details ironed out, cause the school is in the process of ownership change and still doing all the licensing/etc.

When this job was first brought to my attention, I immediately set it aside and said 'No thanks.' I wasn't interested in teaching at this point in my life because I wanted to be able to stay home with my kids. I always assumed I would get back into teaching when my kids started going to school themselves. When I was approached again with what this job really entails, I was totally excited! I love teaching and am so excited to finally have to chance to do it! Isn't God incredible like that?

I'm a little anxious/nervous because I've been away from the teaching world for awhile now, I'm afraid I might forget how to do it. But I'm blessed to work with some really great people and I'm anxious to learn as I go. I don't think it's all really hit me yet, cause I don't really start teaching till the end of August, but I'm sure in a few weeks I'll be scrambling to get everything together!

Right smack in the middle

I'm finding myself right smack in the middle of life. So many things started, nothing really finished. Goals and dreams, but nothing yet accomplished. I haven't yet determined if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but here's what's going on in the middle of my life:

First, I'll start with an update on the hubs:

Jeremy is doing much better, thank you for all your prayers. He had a follow-up appointment today with our doctor, and he can go back to his regular diet (minus seeds and nuts, of course). I was going to take him out to eat to celebrate his being able to eat solid foods again, but time and finances restricted us, so we noodles and hot dogs with the kids at home! (probably not the meal he was dreaming about all week - sorry babe!)

Other than that, a lot is in the midst. We are still working on the kitchen. This week marks 5 months...yes, you read that correctly, 5 MONTHS, since I've had a running sink or dishwasher. But, we got the ordered cupboard in, we've cut the counter top, and tomorrow we're planning on putting it all together. Once the counter top is finished and in place, we can put the sink back in!!! I'm anxiously awaiting my blessed reunion with my beloved kitchen sink!

I've started Caleb's mini album this evening. Once I start a project, I hate leaving it til it's done, so I'm sure I'll get it finished soon and will post pictures!

Tonight, I spent three hours cleaning and re-organizing my laundry room! It was a lot of work, but it's been driving me crazy! I've been storing most of my kitchen in there for the past 5 months, so I was finally able to get that all out and clean it. And, I've been wanting to make room to put our deep freezer in there. It looks great (well, as great as it can look - it's still a laundry room).

Not a whole lot else going on. Well, there is something else, but I can't post about it just yet. I've been itching to really enjoy the summer, I haven't done anything summer-y yet. So tomorrow, I'm taking the kids swimming and I'm going to enjoy the day off in the sun! =]

Prayers for Jeremy

Yesterday, around 3pm, the hubs was admitted to the hospital for Diverticulitis...

Late last week, Jeremy was experiencing a lot of lower abdominal pain. He couldn't even mow the grass, so I finally convinced him to go to Urgent Care in Rochester to check it out. They did an X Ray, found a few calcium deposits and blood in his urine, so they decided that it could be Kidney Stones....baring pain through the weekend, we had to wait til Monday to see our Doc. Monday involved an annoying and long visit to the doctor, followed by a Cat Scan, coming home with little or no information.

They called early Tuesday morning and ask that Jeremy come to the hospital ASAP. So, I picked him up after lunch and away we went. They've discovered Diverticulitis, which is a condition where pockets in the colon become inflamed and infected. Glamorous, I know. So, they've hooked hubs up with IV antibiotics to help the infection, did some blood work, and wouldn't let him eat or drink ANYTHING yesterday.

This morning, our doctor finally came to visit, informing Jeremy that if all goes well, he can leave this evening - but not without recourse. Jeremy's diet will be forever changing, and at least for the next week he'll be on a liquid diet. Furthermore, they think this may be onset by something worse, possibly Colitis. NOT FUN. And of course, the hubs is less than thrilled.

Thank you for everyone who has prayed/texted/called/facebooked...we really appreciate it. Please continue to pray that everything goes smoothly and that it's nothing too serious. Now, off to the hospital to visit with Jer some more, and his family.