tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7409793683595596182024-03-12T23:36:32.928-04:00Life Of A MomUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-90206833238790868222016-01-06T08:54:00.000-05:002016-01-06T08:54:06.209-05:00And so it goes...The story doesn't always turn out the way you think it will. The favorite tv show ends with a twist you didn't want (and you yell at the tv!)...the book ends leaving you hanging....the letter that leaves you surprised.<br /><br />Life is that way. Where you thought you'd be in 1 year, 3 years, 5+ years is not where you are. Thats where I find myself today. In a different spot then where I thought I'd be. I could choose to sit and wallow in that or I can choose to be thankful for where I'm at. <div>
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I'm choosing thankfulness.</div>
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Today I'm thankful for:<br />A Savior who lives me even in my mess.</div>
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A husband who chooses what is best for our family.<br />Healthcare that is available to me. </div>
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3 kids who laugh at the things I say or do that are just downright ridiculous when this brain of mine doesn't work right.<br />Friends who are understanding, pray for me, and talk me through things. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-16728201073484571622013-09-25T16:23:00.002-04:002013-09-25T16:23:26.054-04:00Some days....Some days are<div>
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..Wear out every inch of me</div>
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Today happens to be one of those days. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-86925506852503398822013-01-24T12:49:00.002-05:002013-01-24T12:49:49.138-05:00Samuel....please stop sniffing the glue. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-8703591479206469882012-12-30T09:49:00.000-05:002012-12-30T09:49:28.278-05:00ReviewOn Christmas eve our little family did what we normally do at bed time. Pajamas on. Brush teeth. Pile into our bed for Bible and prayer. Wrestle over the blankets and who is laying where. Don and I had reviewed together what our expectations for Christmas morning would look like. The kids are getting older and so we knew we could change things a bit. We knew though that we needed to tell them the night before what those expectations were.<br />When they come downstairs that they could immediately play with their gift from Santa, and open their stocking. After that we would read the Christmas story before we opened any gifts. <br />
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In order to help cement it in, we decided they should tell us (besides were they really listening with all the fidgeting and giggling?).<br />
So we asked what happens first and Sam took the lead on answering the questions:<br /><br />"First we wake up" Gotcha. Good point. <br /><br />
"Okay, then what?" <br />
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"Then we come downstairs" Ahhh! Almost forgot that. They have to come downstairs. <br /><br />"What happens after you come down stairs?"<br /><br />"Then we scream." <br /><br />We all started laughing. <br />
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I'd like to say that it happened differently on Christmas morning, but it was exactly as he said. First they woke up. Then they came downstairs. Lastly they screamed. <br />
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They did get our expectations, and it was a wonderful Christmas morning. Even with the scream!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-33255638696989619222012-12-26T07:43:00.000-05:002012-12-26T07:43:29.881-05:00You need to write this down!While texting with a friend this week, about the antics that were happening in this house, she said to me "You better be writing this down. It is so funny!" <br />
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You know, I need to be writing it down. My brain doesn't remember all these things. The stuff IS funny. I want the kids to be able to look back someday and say "Really? I said that?" or it to spark a memory. <br />
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So after almost a year since my last post I'm inspired to start writing it down again. The fun. The not so fun. The easy stuff and the hard stuff. <br />
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Let the writing begin. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-17797753644456727332012-01-17T07:34:00.000-05:002012-01-17T07:34:51.425-05:00Flesh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It comes in <i>MANY</i> colors.....</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-85860738518392774012012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:002014-09-12T15:59:53.106-04:00In just a moment....My dear Richarmie<br />
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It's January 12.</div>
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A day that in one moment everything in your life changed. </div>
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A moment that is in your memory. </div>
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A moment when everything you had no matter how much or little it was, was gone.</div>
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In an instant. </div>
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In just one moment, one tick of the clock everything you knew, everything that was home, everyone that was family changed.</div>
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It's a moment, an instant that can never be changed. </div>
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On this day, two years ago, you lost your parents. Richarmie I know you tried. I know you tried to reach them. You also had a little brother, Djemson that needed to be protected. Who was most likely just as confused as you were, if not more.</div>
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The tears you cried that day, and the weeks that followed I simply can not imagine. </div>
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If I could be there today to hold you, to pray with you and over you, I would. I would be there in a moment. Instead I'm here, and you are there. I hope you re-read my last letter and know that I pray for you every day. </div>
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Today is different though. I pray your heart is comforted. I pray you understand that we want to honor what your parents started. I pray that you know that we love you and Djemson. </div>
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I also want you to know that exactly eleven months after that devastating moment I saw your picture for the first time. I heard your story. </div>
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That moment is forever in my memory. </div>
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A moment where everything changed.</div>
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In an instant.</div>
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One moment, one tick of the clock, where everything that was life as I knew it changed.</div>
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There were tears that would not stop. I don't think I had ever felt that physically ill over someone who I had never met before. I cried for weeks, for you and Djemson. I laid in bed awake each night wondering about you and realizing that everything I knew was changing. </div>
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In just that one moment our lives were forever changed by you. </div>
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I love you my sweet Richarmie. </div>
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I love you for that moment of changing our lives.</div>
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I love you for all the moments yet to come. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-41935354517038724032012-01-04T07:43:00.003-05:002012-01-04T07:43:39.772-05:00Todays to do list:Keep the stove going and the house warm.<br />
Go to the neurologist for a follow up.<br />
Nap.<br />
Make comfort food for dinner.<br />
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I didn't get my exercise in yesterday, but I've already done it today. That's right @ 5:35 this morning I was down stairs on the bike riding. I don't like getting up that early, but it feels good to get it out of the way. <br />
I have 3 loads of laundry to fold (the ones I washed and dried from yesterday) that I'll fit in somewhere. I didn't get everything done yesterday, but I did get lots of play time with the kids. We got Rory's Story Cubes for Christmas, and Sam really likes playing that game. It is helping him with his imagination, and story telling skills. He enjoys it, and I did enjoy his fish or turtle trying to get on the plane in various stories!<br />
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Enjoy the day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-61701064543853646482012-01-03T06:32:00.002-05:002012-01-03T09:08:53.369-05:00Todays to-do listI need to start writing out my to-do list. Really simple things that slip my mind, but at the end of the day I think "huh...I didn't get that done" So here goes today:<br />
<strike>Check all the windows and close the storm windows. It's cold outside, and I need to keep in as much heat as I can</strike><br />
<strike>Clean the kitchen window of the NASTY web thats in there</strike><br />
Laundry<br />
<strike>Turn the 'sit-up' reminders back on for my phone. </strike><br />
Ride my bike for 25 minutes<br />
Take some photos for items to list on craigslist<br />
Plan some coupon shopping (No worries, I'm not going to go clean out our local rite aid!)<br />
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I'll be back through out the day to cross items off the list!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-87697773070221025742012-01-01T15:52:00.002-05:002012-01-01T15:52:49.278-05:00A New Years Letter!<br />
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<span class="s1">Dear Friends and Family,<br />
Well it seems we didn’t get Christmas cards out this year. For one reason (or maybe 100 reasons) it just didn’t happen. So lucky you gets our e-version of a New Years letter! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The past year has brought it’s share of surprises and excitement...and yet at the same time its share of sadness. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">In March we celebrated Laurie’s one year anniversary from her aneurysm. As we looked back over the prior year we were amazed at how far God had brought us. We followed that up by celebrating 2 birthdays (Laurie’s and Eliza’s 3rd birthday) and then a trip to Haiti! It was then that we got to meet and spend time with Djemson and Sophia. We loved our time there and we miss them! We also are amazed at how quickly Emma, Sam and Eliza have loved them, and how often they ask when they will be home. They pray for them, talk about them, and draw pictures of them. <br />
May brought about our ten year anniversary, but it was the middle of gearing up for Emma’s dance recital with practices! We were very proud of Emma and the work she put in to her dance class this past year, and we look forward to this coming recital in June. We were able to go away in June for a weekend for our anniversary, which was a nice time away.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">June also saw the end of preschool for Sam, and the completion of 2nd grade for Emma. Both did an excellent job in school and while they looked forward to the summer, they were sad to see the school year end. We were able to fill the summer with trips to the library, stops at the park, lots of playing at beaches and lakes, a weekend camping trip and Sam’s 5th birthday! We had a great summer of the kids being home. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The end of August brought Laurie’s first seizure. We are thankful that she was in a public place with the kids and not driving (as was the original plan to just ‘head home’). After a whirlwind week of doctors appoints she started Keppra and has been seizure free since. In November she was able to resume her normal activities including driving the kids to preschool, running errands and more. <br />
School started late for Emma thanks to Hurricane Irene, and she was very disappointed, but 3rd grade is going well. Sam and Eliza are both in preschool this year ~ Sam goes 3 days a week and Eliza goes 2 days. They like being at the same school and love their friends and their teachers. We are blessed to have them! September also brought Djemson’s birthday and Don’s birthday. The fall also brought the beginning of soccer season where all 3 kids played. It was a great fun season. We also saw the completion of collecting every piece of paper for our Dossier. We were excited to see that we have all those papers! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">With the completion of the Dossier, comes the need for finances. It has been weighing heavy on our hearts as yesterday was Sophia’s 9th birthday. We miss our kids, and we long to have them join us. In honor of Sophia’s birthday (and Djemson’s birthday in September) we are asking people to consider donating to our adoption fund so that we can send in our Dossier and the process really begin in bringing them home. Our ‘timer’ does not start until our final payment is made and our Dossier is delivered. Donations can be made at Sanford Institution for Savings, 254 Long Plains Rd, Buxton, ME 04093. Please make gifts payable to ‘Haiti Children’ fund. You can also use Paypal over there ----><br />
We look forward to what God has for us in 2012. If we had sent a ‘real’ Christmas card there would have been two photos included. So we leave those with you</span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span>Much Love, </div>
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The Coldwell's</div>
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Don, Laurie, Emma, Sam, Eliza, Djemson and Sophia</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-45824016949808103542011-12-15T13:31:00.001-05:002011-12-15T13:36:33.455-05:00MinimizingGoing into the Christmas season and minimizing was really the right decision for us. At first I began to think "what was I thinking" as the ads for this toy or that item were coming to us. <br />
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It's refreshing though. We are choosing wisely what we are purchasing for presents. Not that we have gone crazy in years past, but I think we are putting more thought into items then we ever have before. <br />
The exciting part for me, is that I'm not wondering "where are they going to put this?" or "What can we get them to get rid of to make room for X or Y" Our children are happily parting with items that they no longer love to play with (or they are packing them away for a time). They truly recognize that the space is worth it ~ to be able to spread out and play with what they have. Which almost makes gift purchasing easier. I'm not sneaking things OUT of the house. <br />
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It's also making it easier for me to purchase gifts for my husband, and others. If I'm minimizing what is in our home, how can we bless another individual with something that isn't going to just 'take up space'. <br />
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In this I've only come across one problem...the 3rd grade Christmas swap that is happening in Emma's classroom. We have slimmed down so much on things that we don't use, that we are really trying to come up with something in order for her to participate (the rules state that it can not be a new item ~ it needs to be something from home, that you no longer love/use). Um...I got rid of all that stuff! It has given Emma the opportunity to see that there are few things that she has a TON of (Silly bands anyone?). I appreciate that we're not spending $$ on a gift, but at the same time I'm viewing this as a 'junk swap' LOL! I think though, I'd rather have the problem of not knowing what to send in with her, vs the problem of not being able to walk through our house because of the amount of stuff strewn around. <br />
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-28072652050351332722011-11-07T06:26:00.003-05:002011-11-07T06:27:09.808-05:00Progress!Yesterday was a stay home day from church for the girls and I. We are fighting off some germs and wanted to spare our friends of them. (You are welcome)<br />
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To continue on in the minimalist journey, we cleaned out our mudroom/sunroom/entry whatever you want to call it room. Each child has a bin with hats and mittens in it (along with snow pants and boots). My girls...ahhh love them. They are hat collectors. How many hats does each child *really* need? In my minimalist mind I say 1. One hat. Living in reality in this house I think 3 might be a better number because there will be hats lost, or left somewhere. So each girl had to pick their 3 favorite hats (they each had 6!)<br />
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Some they didn't even know they had.<br />
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They have been packed away for future use. I'm kind of doubting that we will have 3 hats for each girl in the spring.<br />
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We discovered multiple pairs of shoes that belonged to one little princess. No wonder she can't ever find any in her room.<br />
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The screens came out of the windows (we have crank out windows on one side) to wash them, and the room brightened. I didn't realize exactly how much sun was being kept out!<br />
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Husband cleaned out (on his own) his 'area' of 'stuff'. I'm liking this room! I'm anxious to PAINT it now.<br />
*It was at this point where I told my husband I wanted paint for Christmas. Gallons and gallons of paint*<br />
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We were able to put away the entire clothes basket full of 'keep' items and in the process I cleaned out part of our basement 'storage' area. I now have a giant tote of 'get rid of' items. In order to use that tote though I unpacked a big stack of towels I had purchased for when we re-do the bathroom. Over a year ago. It hasn't been re-done. But I'm not storing them any longer. *I'd also like some paint for the bathroom!*<br />
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I woke up to happier calmer place this morning.<br />
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Today will be a break from purging and I'll just enjoy our home. I have a goal to start mixing our Christmas cookies up and freezing the batter for later. This will allow me to see how this works with only having limited items in our home. This afternoon we may make a run in the kids rooms *yipes*<br />
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Or I could just be the *sneaky* mom and do it while they are at school tomorrow. *grin* <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-89130307191819837162011-11-05T19:48:00.000-04:002011-11-05T19:48:55.877-04:00Working towards becoming a MinimalistWe're moving in a direction of becoming minimalists. I'm <strike>dragging</strike> guiding the family in that direction. I read this <a href="http://zenhabits.net/a-guide-to-creating-a-minimalist-home/">article</a> today ~ one of several that I've read over the last couple of months. <br />
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I CRAVE less in my home. Not that we live in clutter. I just like clean lines and space. <br />
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My family thinks I've gone out of my mind. Tonight I started in the kitchen. Sam actually asked if we were packing and moving. I took an ENTIRE clothes basket overflowing OUT of the kitchen. GREAT items. Some are just extra that I will store until the other 2 items just like it wear out (I may have reached a limit on how many rubber spatulas one person needs in the kitchen). Some items we're just simply getting rid of. Then there are the things that get used once or twice a year ~ you know like the meat thermometer to check to make sure the turkey is done. It really should go with the roasting pan and not in a drawer for me to move every day. So I'm re-assigning where items go. <br />
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Tomorrow I'll go thru the basket of 'keep' items and put them in their new home (storage, or with a like item). <br />
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We'll also start our 'get rid of' box. <br />
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I invite you to join me, as we move in that direction of less is more. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-38027631673595175492011-10-19T16:26:00.001-04:002011-10-19T16:26:30.947-04:00Even if you fight?<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
The family has started a new family Bible to read at night. We have read the Jesus Storybook Bible so many times the kids are beginning to be able to recite parts of it. We wanted something more...something with questions that related to what we read. Starting points for conversations. Sometimes I just can't come up with a question just before bed time, and at breakfast? No way! <br /><br />Just last week we started this one... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Acts-God-Family-Bible/dp/1433506041/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4">Mighty Acts of God.</a> I have to say, I like it. There are about four questions to go with each story. The first night we read every question. Mistake with a 3 and 5 year old! Emma was 'in' to it, but the other two were not by the end. So now we scan the story and questions while the kids are brushing their teeth so we have an idea of what the story is, and what questions would best pertain to our kids. </div>
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On Saturday evening I was reading with the kids while D was out speaking at a youth event, and it talked about God's covenant with Abraham, and how a covenant was a special relationship. In the story it touched on how a marriage is a covenant ~ a special relationship ~ and more than just a promise. I explained to the kids that Daddy and I have a covenant that we would always be married. ALWAYS. Emma spoke up and said "Even if you fight?" </div>
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"Yes, even if we fight" </div>
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Then came the statement "Well you've never had a fight about something" </div>
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Wrong. I explained that we had disagreed about things plenty of times. She was surprised. </div>
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"Well it must have been before I was born" </div>
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*snicker* yeah cause in the last 8 years there wasn't a single thing we disagreed on! </div>
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Oh honey! It was very eye opening to Emma, that even though her daddy and I had disagreed on several things in the last 10 years ~ including the years AFTER she was born, it didn't change the fact that we made a covenant to always be married. We would work through our disagreements (like when I tell them to 'work it out') and pray and ask for forgiveness of each other. It was such an eye opening conversation for her. She realized that yes, indeed her parents are sinners that don't always think the same thing! But she also saw, that despite the fact that we don't always agree on things, we would always be married. </div>
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We would always be together. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even if we fight. </span> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-81545755334873076462011-07-15T14:47:00.001-04:002011-07-16T14:22:12.477-04:00Never a good signIt's the day before Buddy's 5th birthday. I should be cooling the beginning of a Lightning McQueen cake.<br />
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I'm obviously not.<br />
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Why you ask? Ah simple. The pan holds 1-1/2 cake mixes. I the brilliant mom, only purchased one. ONE. I could have a cake with no wheels. That might not go over well.<br />
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Fine, I'll color the fondant while husband picks up the 2nd cake mix on his lunch break.<br />
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The store near him does not have said cake mix that I need (I refuse to mix flavors!).<br />
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I also discover that I do not have red food coloring to color the fondant.<br />
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Brilliant I tell you. So now husband will stop at another store on his way home to pick me up some red food coloring (Lightning McQueen must be red afterall). I will be heading to yet another store, to pick up the 2nd cake mix and some ice cream (ooo and I just remembered we need plastic forks & spoons!)<br />
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This does not give me high hopes in how this cake is going to turn out!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-9901287315948070602011-07-14T21:38:00.001-04:002011-07-15T14:41:37.446-04:00It's not that I don't want to write...I'm finding it hard to sit and write. Maybe it would help my heart? Not sure.<br />
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I miss Djemson and Sophia. I love seeing all that photos that friends, and mission teams are taking while they are in Haiti. I <i>hate</i> watching my kids grow up in pictures though. We are waiting on one piece of paper for our Dossier and then we are in the running around stage getting everything stamped and such. I called today to follow up on that one piece of paper ~ and the person insisted she sent it 'weeks ago', but it was only 2 weeks ago that we were there to see her. Funny, I think she never mailed it.<br />
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There has been such a giant gap here....<br />
Lovergirl's birthday. She's 8. <i> EIGHT</i> I'm not so sure I'm ready for her to be 8. Nevermind when she said the other day "You know I'm almost 9" Yeah...YOU ARE NOT! <br />
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The end of preschool for buddy. My little guy who never spoke a word till he was 2-1/2 completed his first year of preschool and loved every day of it! He is looking forward to next year.<br />
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The end of the school year for Lovergirl ~ she's going into the 3rd grade! Please lets make time stop! She struggled so much on the last day of school. She just loved 2nd grade, her friends and teacher. When she got off that bus the last day she burst into tears.<br />
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The little princess is enjoying having her sister and brother around every day. She's trying new things, getting into loads of trouble, is completely potty trained (WOO HOO!!) and is looking forward to her first year of preschool in the fall. <br />
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And now we're in the groove of summer. Going to the beach with friends. Stopping at all sorts of playgrounds to just run and play. Library story hour and crafts. Riding our bikes, and family walks. I'm really soaking up this summer, as I feel like I completely missed last summer. I was still too much in recovery mode. We have hiking and camping, and picking berries on our list of summer fun. Here's hoping we have some blogging ideas from it all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-91892224376883211852011-04-01T11:51:00.000-04:002011-04-01T11:51:58.386-04:00Dear Djemson.You are an amazing little boy. I loved you the moment I laid eyes on your picture. You have such an infectious smile. You love to laugh. You fell in love with your papa when we arrived in Haiti. You love the friends you have there. I adored hearing you yell to your friend Tomas....and hearing him yell back to you so you could find each other. The two of you switch plates half way thru a meal was just too funny to me. You would both have the same exact items on your plate, but for some reason it tasted better if you switched. I was so proud of you when you gave the rest of your eggs to Danny. You will share with the kids who don't have what you have. I love that about you. <br />
I love that you found it necessary to put a juice box straw in your straw cup. And it worked!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjXdxs2lIQo/TZXx2VuivFI/AAAAAAAABOk/HC1jH5qaEyg/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjXdxs2lIQo/TZXx2VuivFI/AAAAAAAABOk/HC1jH5qaEyg/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>My boy Djemson, I loved the passion in your eyes to learn about your fwem. How excited you were when you discovered we have our own machin. You loved have your foto taken with your fwem. <br />
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However, my boy Djemson. You gave your mama two white hairs. They were not there before my trip to meet you. It may have had something to do with you running up and down the rebar stairs. Or you hanging off the edge of the wall, or the roof. Maybe it was the jumping off the four foot wall. Either way my dear I will start coloring my hair. Your mama is far to young to have blan hair. <br />
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Love You<br />
MamaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-68161355042694352212011-03-24T06:52:00.000-04:002011-03-24T06:52:00.432-04:00Happy Birthday Little Princess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xRqVubazyDg/TYqkLDdJLnI/AAAAAAAABOg/ac4_ASt2aNQ/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xRqVubazyDg/TYqkLDdJLnI/AAAAAAAABOg/ac4_ASt2aNQ/s400/DSC_0096.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>Happy Birthday Little Princess. Mommy and Daddy love you so much. We can't believe you are three! Time is flying by so fast. We love your antics, your animated smiles, and giggles. Your passion in everything you do! You are so anxious to start preschool in the fall, but could really do with out the whole using the potty aspect. You think you are funny when you wipe off kisses ~ but we know you just love the attention. :) Thank you for your early morning snuggles and letting me wrap you up like a baby once in a while. <br />
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We love you ~ Mommy and Daddy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-79624778940274025132011-03-10T17:40:00.000-05:002011-03-10T17:40:02.529-05:00The perks of the fluThis week our family has been hit with the flu. The test-you-with-a-nasal-swab, the-nurses-all-put-on-masks-every-time-they-enter-the-room-flu. The you-need-antiviral-meds-flu. <br />
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I'm tired.<br />
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I didn't even get the flu.<br />
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Everyone else did. <br />
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Three family members tested. Three positives. Hindsight if we had asked to have the 4th family member tested Sunday night I think we would have had a positive then. <br />
Through all of the sitting up with kids at night in a steamy bathroom, dosing tylenol and motrin, soaking cloths in cold water for foreheads, washing laundry, and driving ALL.OVER. the area we live in to find the meds I have to say I'm thankful. <br />
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I'm thankful that I could find the last dose of tamiflu for the princess. I'm thankful that I drove by an Amato's and was able to grab some lunch. I'm thankful that we have quick cares and doctors that I can walk into and get care for my kids and husband. I'm thankful for gingerale and gatorade. And Lysol. Lysol is my friend. I am appreciating Nick Jr & the Disney Channel. We've watched a lot of that lately. LOTS and LOTS of TV. <br />
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Yes, there are dirty blankets that need to be washed. Yes there was poop on the couch (it's since been cleaned). Yes, the princess was coughing so hard, she choked and puked on me. THREE times. Yes, she even did that in her bed on a different night. So I changed her sheets THREE times. Yes, there is a plastic grocery bag in the middle of the living room for everyone to deposit their dirty tissues in. Frankly you can't even walk through the living room at this point with everyone sprawled all over the place. They even took to laying on the cooler floor to help with the fever. <br />
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What hit me the most though was looking at the calendar and realizing we're almost 1 year from my aneurysm. I'm NOT supposed to be here. At least by what the surgeon said. I'm so thankful that God's plan was so different. That even in the mess that this week has been (and it has completely turned my week upside down) I can see that God has a wonderful plan. I'm thankful to be here, to wipe noses, and eat toast all week. To stumble out of bed every hour at night because someone is fussing. To just be nurse mom. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-5229969451743469072011-03-04T14:37:00.001-05:002011-03-04T18:22:48.713-05:00Talking you off the ledge.Sometimes you need to just be talked off the ledge. I needed that this week. I needed someone to just listen. And understand what I'm saying. I got that this week from <a href="http://legendsofafamily.blogspot.com/">Mama H</a> I've since set about to work on some fund raising things we needed to get done. Instead of looking at the big picture, I could break it down into steps. I could trust God with that big number. It really is out of my control. I can't let it haunt me. I can't let it dictate what I do. Realistically HAVING that money does NOTHING for me, if our Dossier isn't completed. I need to do the things I'm in control of. Thanks Mama H for our conversation this week. I really needed that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-33433723402488747792011-02-28T12:48:00.000-05:002011-02-28T12:48:21.968-05:00We need the money.Yes, folks, that's right. We need the money. Another 8 thousand dollars. I feel like that is just staring me in the face constantly! So I've been trying some things out to see if I can help raise that amount. I know, I'm not going to make the full amount selling necklaces, bracelets and soaps. Oh how that would be oh.so.nice. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hFlbWukMAUk/TWvbaMLjJPI/AAAAAAAABNg/X66sH5_q-i0/s1600/IMG_6238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hFlbWukMAUk/TWvbaMLjJPI/AAAAAAAABNg/X66sH5_q-i0/s320/IMG_6238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is a memory-wire bracelet I made, and sold with in 1 day of posting on my facebook. One day! I love the fun colors of it, and will be making more (and definitely one for myself)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HKq3VpeXviQ/TWvfA7HZMdI/AAAAAAAABNk/6XLIQj436HI/s1600/185616_10150093092522544_572122543_6254336_48316_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HKq3VpeXviQ/TWvfA7HZMdI/AAAAAAAABNk/6XLIQj436HI/s320/185616_10150093092522544_572122543_6254336_48316_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div> And then there is this one...2 strands of green, yellow, and white. So fun, and it makes me dream of summer! I'd like to make a bracelet to match.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lE1V0bisC9k/TWvfDng7FDI/AAAAAAAABNo/xYl4TqyRGFM/s1600/185930_10150093092992544_572122543_6254342_6043472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lE1V0bisC9k/TWvfDng7FDI/AAAAAAAABNo/xYl4TqyRGFM/s320/185930_10150093092992544_572122543_6254342_6043472_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> And this beauty. AH. I love this! Aqua with green flecks, multi-strand. This took a lot more work then I anticipated, but I do love it! <br />
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All that to say ~ I'll be adding a store soon. VERY SOON. I need to get these all up and selling someplace. Having them hang on my bulletin board isn't getting me very far. <br />
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I've also made some soaps ~ and sold out of some very quickly. (YAY!) Love that. People have been giving me items that have been hand made to sell also, which I think is just wonderful. <br />
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All for bringing our kids home from Haiti.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-32620082267761566362011-02-14T08:30:00.000-05:002011-02-14T08:30:31.707-05:00Hello???Are you out there? I'm over here------------>. Buried underneath a pile of paperwork and there is a long list of papers I need to get. The Dossier is next up on the list. It's a process of finding paper, after paper, after paper. Everything needs to be 'just so'.<br />
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Plus there is a pile of stuff right here <---. Craft items for making various items to sell to raise money. We need another Eight thousand dollars (yes...8 THOUSAND). The timer doesn't start ticking until we get it and send it with our Dossier. Please pray that we can find/raise that money quickly. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-50282075651895678102011-01-20T20:37:00.001-05:002011-01-21T06:48:59.180-05:00What is your number?What is your number? That's a common question in this house. The kids are always confirming each others age. Sometimes they even ask us. What is your number? They find it funny that I'm older then their daddy.<br />
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Today we were on our way into town and buddy was in the back of the van and asked "Mommy what is your number again?"<br />
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"34"<br />
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"What four?"<br />
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"34"<br />
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"34?"<br />
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"Yes, buddy 34"<br />
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"I don't think so. Those aren't counting numbers"<br />
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Oh to be 4-1/2 and think that 20 was as high as the numbers go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-20820721086461271412011-01-11T20:38:00.000-05:002011-01-11T20:38:22.905-05:00Headed to Haiti....The following are headed to Haiti with some fantastic friends of ours (who are going to visit their children that are waiting to come home!):<br />
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A large check to get the ball rolling<br />
Power Of Attorney ~ so the pastor can sign on our behalf to adopt those beautiful children<br />
Letter of Intent ~ just what it is...our letter of intent to adopt and make them part of our family<br />
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And two small but wonderful gifts. Laminated photo's of our family here for each of them. Something they can carry around and look at.<br />
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A blanket for each to snuggle with at night. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0V4SQsC01fs/TS0E6bChX_I/AAAAAAAABNU/NPvuNmj8YpY/s1600/IMG_6180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0V4SQsC01fs/TS0E6bChX_I/AAAAAAAABNU/NPvuNmj8YpY/s320/IMG_6180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Djemson's blanket</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0V4SQsC01fs/TS0ExgmHwBI/AAAAAAAABNQ/vH7nZhUB3EM/s1600/IMG_6178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0V4SQsC01fs/TS0ExgmHwBI/AAAAAAAABNQ/vH7nZhUB3EM/s320/IMG_6178.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richarmie's blanket</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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While the blankets may not seem like a big deal to anyone...it's a big deal to us. Each of our children have received a homemade blanket when they were born. A blanket that was intended to be used for a long, long time. Buddy's has had to be sewn back together numerous times because he's used it every night for the last 4-1/2 years. (Still boggles my mind) While I know it's hot in Haiti, and they probably won't need to snuggle up under it, it is always nice to have something made by someone who just loves you. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740979368359559618.post-8946874609728681672010-12-23T15:59:00.000-05:002010-12-23T15:59:17.339-05:00Love at first sightHave you ever fallen in love with someone or something the moment you laid eyes on them? Ah....I have. I most certainly have. It is the love that keeps you up at night. That makes you wonder what exactly that other person is doing. What they are thinking. Are they warm? Did they have a great lunch? Do they even know who I am? Do they love me they way I love them? Will they even like us? <br />
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On December 12th we were shown a photo of two beautiful children. Two children who have been through more than any child should EVER have to go through. They lived through the earthquake in Haiti. Their parents did not. They arrived at an orphanage sometime in late March, early April from what I can piece together. What happened between the earthquake and their arrival I simply can not imagine.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">This photo was shown to us</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0V4SQsC01fs/TRO2E0DhQNI/AAAAAAAABNI/qM2hXUxAOyY/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0V4SQsC01fs/TRO2E0DhQNI/AAAAAAAABNI/qM2hXUxAOyY/s320/photo+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Are they not just so beautiful? I love that I see smiles on their faces. It does this mama's heart good. Their new mama. That's right. We're adopting. Not one, but two children. Siblings. Two beautiful children who clearly love each other. We've seen other photo's of them since that day. She almost always has her arms around her brother. She is quite protective of him I'm sure. And why wouldn't she? She is the big sister. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our family prays for those children day and night. We wonder what they are doing. Are they have fun? Did they pay attention in school? Did they brush their teeth? Do they even know who we are yet? </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is an exciting journey we are embarking on. We are thrilled that God has placed them in our lives ~ even if we've never wrapped our arms around them. Yet. We are planning what we are bringing to Haiti with us in March for them. We will follow those children around and do all the things they want to do. We'll snuggle and love on them. We will hug them so tight. Join us on our journey of Bringing Djemson and Richarmie home. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1