That’s a wrap

September 29, 2008 at 10:22 am (Uncategorized)

Well, we have finished all of Ava’s birthday celebrations.

We had a wonderful time sharing her special day (well, days…) with family, friends & schoolmates!

Her slumber party was a blast!  Unfortunately, two of Ava’s friends ended up getting sick that day, so they couldn’t join us (we missed you Hannah & Anicka!).  We ended up having 11 girls over for pizza & fun.  We decorated tiaras, frosted & “sprinkled” cupcakes & danced to “High School Musical 1 & 2.”  Those girls can really move!

We had 7 girls spend the night.  Adam covered the family room floor with mattresses, where the girls set up their sleeping bags & pillows.  We made hot cocoa with marshmellows & whipped cream & then settled down to watch “Enchanted.”  I kinda figured they would all fall asleep during the movie.

WRONG!

I think the majority of the group fell asleep by 12:30.  Ava & another friend though, stayed up until 2:30!  I slept in the family room with the girls in case they woke up in the middle of the night scared or needing something.  Thankfully, once they did fall asleep, they stayed asleep.  So, we did didn’t have to make any middle-of-the night phone calls to parents.

The girls were up at 6 the next morning & were starving by 7.  We made pancakes, cinnamon rolls & bacon.  Then, they colored, painted & played throughout the morning until all the parents arrived.

The girls were really good.  They were polite & respectful & such a sweet group.  It took Adam & I all of Saturday to recover…

Garrett is already asking when his birthday is!

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It’s okay to answer the phone

September 26, 2008 at 8:59 am (Uncategorized)
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Ever lost your cell phone?

I have a couple of times now.  I always have the same reaction.  I’m usually in my car, reaching down into the cup holder, only to find an empty space.  Then that little sinking feeling starts to swell in my stomach as I look under & in between the seats, all the while, beginning to mentally retrace my steps.

Guess who lost her phone yesterday?

BUT, before you start to feel too bad for me… ;)

I did eventually found it.  Hence the title of this post.

I had a bunch of errands to run after worship practice last night.  I did some shopping at the first store, then headed to the next place.  I realized my phone was gone as I was leaving my car.  Now, I answer the calls on our mobile church phone, so luckily I had that with me.  I called my personal phone & when I didn’t hear my POG ring, I knew I either left it in the other store or it’s parking lot.

So, I kept calling my phone hoping someone would answer.  But, no luck.  The store I needed to go to closed at 9, so I had 12 minutes to get back there & it was a 10 minute drive.  Thankfully, I made every light & pulled in the parking lot 8 minutes later.

I quickly scanned the ground, but didn’t see my phone.  I went to the store entrance & had no sooner walked in, when one of the employees said, “Hey, you left your phone!  Yeah, someone’s been calling it a couple of times, so we put it straight to voicemail.”

“Yeah,” I replied, “it was me trying to find my phone.”

“Ohhhh,” came the employee’s response.  (I love when you can practically see the lightbulb come on over their head…)

So…

If you find a cell phone – answer it!  Take it from a chronic phone misplacer – it’s okay, we want you to!  Besides, if it’s not the actual person calling, it’s probably someone they know, who could pass along the info of where their missing phone is.

Happy calling answering!

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For Ava

September 24, 2008 at 5:32 am (Uncategorized)

Happy Birthday Ava Grace!!!

You came into our lives six years ago at 5:32 pm and changed our entire world.  You mean so much to me & I love who you are!

I love your heart & the way you show compassion for others.  I love your spirit & the way you never back down from a challenge.  You make me think!  The questions you ask are innocent, yet thought-provoking.  More often, I find myself saying.  “Hmmmm, we’ll have to ask Daddy about that one.”  You are so creative, imaginative & yes…dramatic!  I love dressing up with you & pretending to be princesses.  You are very sweet to your friends & care a great deal about them.  You are courageous & I am so proud of the way you look out for your brothers.  You are a blessing to our family & I couldn’t hope for a more special daughter.  You are amazing!

Being your Mommy is one of the best things that ever happened to me.  I am overwhelmed that God entrusted me with you & I promise to always be there for you.

My prayer for you is you’ll continue to see God’s hand on your life each day.  And with the guidance of your family, friends & teachers, you’ll grow into the lovely woman God designed you to be.

I love you so much,

Mommy

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A little autumn randomness…

September 23, 2008 at 9:12 am (Uncategorized)
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I’ve started decorating the house for autumn.  We’ve officially begun my favorite time of year!  Here are some of my highlights of the season:

  • The colors – I know…everyone knew this was coming, but seriously, I love walking through parks & simply gaze at the trees.  It’s an instant pick-me-up!
  • Caramel apples – well, anything caramel for that matter!  Caramel & autumn go hand-in-hand, in my opinion, so I find myself baking with it more.
  • Thanksgiving – we love getting together with our families & sharing this time together.  The food is always great & we intentionally talk about all we we are grateful for & thank God for it.
  • My porch – I look forward to decorating it every year!  I buy hay bales, cornstalks, mums & pumpkins.  Then I pull out the scarecrows, the autumn wreath & have at it!
  • Football – did your jaw just drop?  Adam’s probably did!  Adam loves, loves, loves the Bears.  I try to learn about the things he’s really into, so I can enjoy it with him.  It helps that I understand the game better each year.  This year I learned what a “tight-end” is…it’s not what I initially thought ;)
  • The weather – okay, Indian summer days are the best!  I love it when it’s too warm for a coat, but just enough nip in the air for a sweater.  Perfect.
  • Apple orchards – we head to Rockford every autumn to go apple picking.  The kids love it & so do I!  We get to ride tractors out to the orchards & typically end up with two heaping baskets of apples.  After the orchards, we head to the farm where we get apple cider doughnuts fresh from the oven.  They’re amazing!
  • Halloween – we love dressing up!  Last year we did a “Wizard of Oz” theme as a family.  You can check out last Halloween’s photos here, here, here, here, here and here.  This year we’re probably doing individual costumes, but we’ll see.  Ava talks a lot about doing a “Peter Pan” theme, but she wanted me to be Tinkerbell.  I told her I would do the blond wig in a heartbeat, but she is out of her mind if she thinks I’m walking around in tights!  So, she said she will be Tinkerbell & I can be Wendy.  I was kinda looking forward to dressing up as Captain Hook myself…
  • Apple pie – it’s the only time of the year I make it & I bake a pretty mean pie!!

How about you?  Anything special autumn things you do or look forward to?

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Gearing up for another big week!

September 22, 2008 at 8:33 am (Uncategorized)

Yesterday, was amazing!

We did it!  We had our first service at Channahon Junior High School.  I can’t put into words what yesterday meant.  I remember a friend telling me once (on my wedding day) to close my eyes & take a breath each time I was in a moment I wanted to remember.  I took that advice to heart again yesterday.  When we got on the platform for the first time and began our first song, I was so overwhelmed by seeing everyone who was there!  I closed my eyes & took a breath – I forever want to remember this launch team who is ready to glorify God at SouthField.  I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again.  We are stepping up & out to who God is calling us to be, what He is calling us to do & where He is calling us to go.  There was an energy in the room that was electrifying & I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us!

Later that afternoon, my parents, Grandma Rita, Kevin, Heather, Pete & Carol came over to celebrate Ava’s birthday (her actual birthday is on Wednesday).  We had such a fun day!  Ava was so excited to open her presents & Mom brought an awesome cake!  Unfortunately, the Bears lost (booo!), but there’s nothing better than hangin with familiy.  Seems like those times are becoming more few & far inbetween as the kids get older.  So, we enjoy every chance we get to be together.

We’ll spend this evening with Adam’s family & we are really looking forward to it!  We’ll celebrate not only Ava’s birthday, but Papa Randy’s too.  I love Mexican food & we’re heading to Chipotle – I can’t wait for the burrito bowl.  Should be a fun day!!

I already mentioned it, but it deserves mentioning again…

AVA’S BIRTHDAY IS WEDNESDAY!!!!

She is so excited!  She came to our bed this morning telling me “only two more days!”  She is the “Star of the Week” at school & we’ve had a great time coloring her special poster & gathering pictures.  On Wednesday, I get to go to her class to read them one of Ava’s favorite books.  I’m looking forward to sharing that time with her.

Friday, Ava is having her birthday/slumber party.  We have invited 14 of her friends!!  I keep hearing that I’m nuts & I won’t disagree.  However, we’re really excited.  We’ve been promising Ava a slumber party since the summer, so we decided to skip Chuck E Cheese’s this year & have a party at home.

Well, time to get out of bed & begin this week.

Honestly…

I can’t wait!!

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too funny!

September 21, 2008 at 10:20 pm (Uncategorized)
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I have to give kudos to Matt H. for this one!

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Thanks-a-palooza!

September 18, 2008 at 9:40 pm (Uncategorized)

We had our final service as The Church of Rock Run at 714 Bethel Drive this past Sunday.

This weekend we start our new chapter as SouthField Community Church at Channahon Junior High School & I CANNOT WAIT!!!  So many people have worked so hard – I am excited to see how we will continue to glorify God in this next step of our journey together.

So, even though it rained…and rained…and then rained some more this past weekend, I really enjoyed our indoor picnic.  Thank you to everyone who helped out!

I have to give an extra special shout-out to the Bieker group!  Together, we brainstormed, organized & put together everything that happened.  We got to spend Saturday baking the desserts & making all the sandwiches.  It was such a blast!  You can just tell this is a group who enjoys being together.  Oh, and for those who don’t know…never, ever stick a spatula in a mixing bowl while it’s on.  Just trust me on this one…

John, Sue, Matt, Natalie, Coleen, Jeff, Jen & Josh – you guys are amazing!  I’m going to miss our flurry of emails – my inbox has quieted down this week!  Thank you so much for your time & talents.  I appreciate every single one of you!!!

And Jeff – thanks again for the pics!

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Happy Anniversary!

September 18, 2008 at 12:30 am (Uncategorized)

Adam & I were married nine years ago today.

WOW!!

We celebrated a little early.  Last night, we went to The Melting Pot.  It’s a fondue restaurant we go to every year for our anniversary.  We had a fun evening laughing & reminiscing over the past year.

Adam – I love you!!

You are a wonderful husband & father.  I am a better person because of you & thank God for bringing you into my life.

You still sweep me off my feet!

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What’s on your wrapper?

September 17, 2008 at 8:23 am (Uncategorized)
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Ava received a package from Aunt LeLe this week.  Inside was “The Little Mermaid 3,” along with lipgloss & an entire package of TOOTSIE POPS!

I love Tootsie Pops!

Do you know they have a new flavor now?  Yep, pomegranate, & it’s sooo good!

Anyway, has anyone ever heard that if there’s an Indian shooting a star on your wrapper then you get a free Tootsie Pop?  I remember hearing that for the first time was I was in kindergarten & to this day, I still check to see if the Indian is on there.

Well, I did some checking at snopes.com about this and apparently this is an urban legend.  According to snopes:

“The rumor that Tootsie Pop wrappers featuring an Indian can be redeemed for free candy has dogged the Tootsie Roll company since shortly after the introduction of the chewy-centered lollipops in 1931.  Although Tootsie Pops has never held any kind of promotion involving the collection or redemption of their wrappers, the “Indian wrapper” rumor has persisted for over sixty years.”

The article then went on to say that some store managers do chose to redeem the wrapper for a free Tootsie Pop – how sweet!  You can read the rest of the article here.

Bummer…I’ve already found two Indians.

Well, as a consolation prize, I present one of my favorite commercials.  Growing up, this was on all the time when we watched Saturday morning cartoons!

Come on now, admit it…

Has anyone ever tried counting?

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so long Rainbow

September 16, 2008 at 7:48 am (Uncategorized)

Ava’s fish, Rainbow, died.

Rainbow has not been looking good the past few days.  Ava came downstairs yesterday crying because she thought Rainbow was dead.  We went upstairs, but Rainbow still had a bit of life left.  I did tell her though, that I thought he might die very soon.

This morning I went in & poked around the tank.  Rainbow is gone.

Why does Rainbow have to die this week of all weeks?  In the midst of her tears, Ava told me she knows she will have “no more pets” by the time Sunday comes.  Adam has been in contact with a couple regarding Payton & they are coming out to meet, & most likely, take him home, this weekend (we weren’t able to coordinate schedules this past weekend).

Believe me, I can sympathize. I love animals!  We always had a pet growing up.  We had dogs, a hamster, a guinea pig…  My mom & dad were such good sports – I was always bringing something home.

I once brought a kitten home from a birthday party when I was in 1st grade.  Found out later, I’m allergic to cats.  We kept our cat until we moved to Rockford & then my parents gave him to an elderly couple who was looking for a little companion.

Then I brought home a duckling when I was in high school.  It got separated from it’s family & was in the middle of the lake quacking all alone.  I told my mom it was meant to be because when I called the duckling, she swam over to me.  So, I brought her home.  Dad put up a fence & Mom got a wadding pool.  We fed her oatmeal everyday.  I named her “Bruce” & we took care of her over the summer.  Later, we took her to a friend’s property where there were many ducks & released her.

There was also the time I brought home 4 baby bunnies.  It’s mom was killed by a lawnmower on the college campus where I did many summer musicals.  So, I gathered them up & brought them home.  We took care of them until they grew big enough to survive on their own.  Mom & Dad were good with that until one escaped (Mister Hippity Hoppity).  We eventually found him & then had to find them all a new home.

Finally, I had two ferrets, Murray & Moose.  They were great!  I didn’t like having a roommate my first year at ISU, so I ended up living alone the next year.  But, it was too quiet, so I got my ferrets to keep me company.  Poor Adam – he hated the ferrets!  But, he put on his obligatory “sad face” when they died over six years later, so I appreciated that.

Well, I’m thinking it’s best to wait until after school to tell Ava about Rainbow.  And then we’ll have another “burial” like last time.

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Keeping me on my toes…

September 15, 2008 at 11:07 am (Uncategorized)

If you haven’t figured it out yet, Grady gets into EVERYTHING!!!

Ava & Garrett would get into the occasional cupboard, but Grady climbs on counters, tables or anything else he can reach with a chair.  I wish there was a realistic way to bolt the chairs to the floor!

His latest triumph is the sink.

Who knows?

Maybe he’ll be a mountain climber some day…or a plumber.

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Payton Update

September 12, 2008 at 8:45 am (Uncategorized)

Payton will most likely have a new home this weekend.

We’ve had many people inquire about him, so now we’re working to make sure he’s going to a good home.

We are unwavering in our decision, however, I’m finding I am starting to hurt more – especially since he only has a few days left with us.

I know we’re doing what’s best for our kids & for Payton.

Still…it’s hard.

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birthday etiquette

September 10, 2008 at 12:01 am (Uncategorized)

Ava’s birthday is two weeks away.

She is soooo stoked!

We ran a few errands in Target & she was showing me all the things she would like.  Actually, she picked out three items.  Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t just pick out entire Barbie & dress-up aisle!

She got ahold of my cell phone yesterday & worked her way through part of my speed dial contacts.  I overheard one of her messages:

“Hi, this is Ava.  I wanted to invite you to my birthday.  If you can’t come, please send me a present in the mail.”

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A Sweet Story

September 7, 2008 at 10:41 pm (Uncategorized)
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I got this email from my mom the other day.  I was so touched, I wanted to share with you all too…

♥ ♥ ♥

This is one of the kindest things you may ever see. It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog?  She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her.  She likes to play with balls and to swim.  I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog.  I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, ‘To Meredith’ in an unfamiliar hand.  Meredith opened it.  Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, ‘When a Pet Dies.’  Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope.  On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help.  I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn’t sick anymore.  Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart.  Abbey loved being your dog.  Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.  What a wonderful mother you have.  I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I’m easy to find.  I am wherever there is love.

Love,

God

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Missing my mac

September 4, 2008 at 1:03 am (Uncategorized)
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Yep, that’s right…I’m currently macless.

Honestly, the whole thing is really stupid…

All I need is a new charger.

When Adam bought my mac, he purchased a service agreement that covers anything I may need for a year, including new chargers.  However, in order to get a new one, the company has to first send my laptop to Apple to make sure nothing is wrong with it.  Which means, it could be 6 weeks before I get my laptop back.

Can you believe it?!  6 weeks…for a charger!

On the bright side…

I do get a loaner laptop & that’s supposed to be in today.

On the not-so-bright side…

I have to work on our main computer, which is located in the basement.  Our house has a wireless connection, so normally, I have my laptop wherever I’m at in the house with the kids (typically the kitchen).  Yesterday, I put on a cartoon & figured that would occupy the kids’ attention for 15 minutes, so I could send out a few emails.

Boy, was I wrong!

I came upstairs to find Grady sitting on the kitchen floor cracking eggs!  He’s a nut!!  I will admit, I was impressed.  He would hit the egg on the side on our egg bin to crack it & then separate it with his hands.  You’d think he’d been doing it for years…

Here’s one thing my kids can be thankful for with my blogging hobby – it really brings out my sense of humor.  Now, when they do something that would normally make me scream, I instead run & get my camera so I can post a pic!

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