February 2, 2010
Thanks!!
Kamarah 
January 24, 2010
As I mentioned in my post about Henry, there was an incident amidst the celebration of the kids realizing we were getting a dog. For anyone that has two or more kids, you understand how quickly a happy moment can somehow turn into instant arguing or in this case, unintentional injury.
Ryan and I created a scavenger hunt around the house to announce the news that we were getting a puppy. The kids began with one clue that led them to another part of the house. When they found that clue, a red letter was attached. They needed to find all the clues, collect the letters and unscramble the letters at the end of the hunt. Once they figured out it spelled ‘puppy’, they opened an envelope that told them to go the computer to see a picture of their new dog, who was arriving the next day.
It was at this moment of celebration that KJ bit her tongue, which began to bleed, which forced me to cease my video recording. (Also notice – Jackson tries to comfort her – briefly – and quickly returns to look at the picture of the dog).
Have a little laugh by clicking here.
January 13, 2010
Over the last year, one of my best friends from college (Michele) and I have been trying to raise money to buy our friend Shannon a home. She and her husband, Matt McNeil, have two children, Waverly and Oliver, both with a terminal illness called Sanfilippo Syndrome. So far we’ve raised over $140,000 and hope to raise more to help the McNeil’s purchase a handicap accessible home.
We are excited that A Hundred for a Home is mentioned in the February issue of Ladies Home Journal – page 8!
If you’d like to hear more of their story, watch precious videos of the kids or see the magazine, check out our website at ahundredforahome.com!
Senior Year of College - 1998
Me, Shannon and Michele - October 2008
January 10, 2010
Our family has expanded.
Late Monday night, our family welcomed home Henry, a 9 week old Mini Labradoodle into our home.
We were thinking about adopting a dog for the last month or so but weren’t planning on actually getting one until this summer as we were on a waiting list until then. However, the breeder emailed us last Sunday night to tell us that a mini chocolate male became available. He was adopted by another family, one week prior, but it wasn’t working out with their small children. So, Ryan and I discussed it that night (quickly), talked to the parents (who at the time had him) and decided to take him. Since the family was in Florida, they flew him to us the following evening (yes, Monday, the very next day).
As you can imagine, for a family who wasn’t planning on getting a dog for six months, we were very well prepared.
We had nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not a bone. Not food. Nothing.
Also, I might add, our kids had no clue. Again, since we had just decided that we wanted to get a dog, we hadn’t told the kids yet. We didn’t want to even mention it, unless Ryan and I were 100% sure about getting one. So Monday when they got off the bus, we sent them on a scavenger hunt around the house to announce the news (more about this as well as a funny video to come). Afterwards, we piled in the car and headed to Pet Smart.
I’m sure that a trip to Pet Smart is no big deal to the average pet owner. But for Ryan, me and the kids, who have never owned a pet, we felt a bit overwhelmed. I think other shoppers were laughing at us as we stared at the 25 options for food and water bowls, not sure what to get. Is it best to have it off the ground on a stand? Stainless steel or ceramic? Stuck together or seperate? And those were just the food dishes!!! For every item we needed to buy, there were 5o varieties to choose from. I think it took us over 1 1/2 hours, but we successfully piled up our cart with dog toys, treats, a bed, food, a leash, food bowls, etc. and we headed home to prepare for him.
Henry has been so much fun and well behaved after our one short week together. And, of course, I’m loving taking photos of him!!!
Welcome Home Henry!
January 6, 2010
Is there anyone who inspires you?
When I was 13, my family began going to a large church in our town. It was there that I started learning about God. I also got involved in any type of drama that I could since, at the time, I was sure that someday I would be a big Hollywood star. (ha ha!) Thankfully, because our church was so big with over 4000 members, every year it put on a huge Christmas program called The Festival of Lights. Christmas lights were hung in the entire sanctuary and for twelve performances, it was enveloped with a holy glow on those cold winter nights.
The first year I was part of the program, I was a salvation army bell ringer. I was literally on the stage for 2.2 seconds, ringing a bell. Of course, that was a minuscule part within the greater Festival of Lights drama and the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth. The most significant aspect of my involvement was at the end of the program. I stood silently in the back of the large sanctuary, dressed in my costume, listening to our pastor, Ed Dobson, share about God’s love for us. It was in the glimmer of those lights that I decided to trust Jesus.
I spent my high school years and times home from college at that church, learning about God through Pastor Dobson.
Sadly, in 2001, he was diagnosed with Lou Gerig’s disease – an illness that destroys nerves controlling muscle movement, weakening limbs, causing spasms and eventual paralysis. He retired in 2005, not feeling able to pastor a large church while dealing with the debilitating effects of his terminal illness. The doctors told him that the disease typically causes death within two to five years.
Pastor Dobson’s diagnosis was nine years ago.
Nine.
Sunday, this favorite pastor of mine preached at the church we currently attend, as he does occasionally. I sat through the service almost in tears as I listened to his words. I learned so much from him in my youth and reflected on the significance he has had on my life. And what impacts me the most is his constant, faithful following of Jesus.
This disease has slightly slurred his speech and now prevents him from being able to raise his arms. His body is thin and frail and he needs assistance getting dressed. His independence has been taken and so will his life one day because of this dreadful disease.
However, Ed still follows Jesus . . with pleasure. And he does it with honesty. He confessed Sunday that as he wrestles with the disease, he can go from faith to disbelief in a matter of seconds. But amidst all there is in his future to worry about, he chooses to trust God, keep the teachings of Jesus as his priority and focus on living thankful for each day. On his website for his book, “A Year of Living Like Jesus” he says, “the way of Jesus is hard. It requires constant vigilance. It demands our total commitment. I learned through many failures and mistakes just how hard it is. I don’t claim to have all the answers. I don’t claim that everthing I did was right. My only claim is that I tried to follow Jesus and his teaching – however imperfectly.”
I’m sure the number of people who Pastor Dobson has had an impact upon will never be known. But I know I will always be grateful for what I’ve learned through his faithful, dedicated, steadfast desire to love and serve God with every part of his earlthy being – even as it is slowly being taken from him.
To me, that’s inspiring.
(Click here to see the trailer for his book and click here to read my neighbor, Jane’s, review of it)
December 10, 2009
Today was actually the third day this winter that J-Money had off school. This is amazing, since it’s only December 10, but since we’re amidst “blizzard” conditions, most schools have been closed around this area.
It’s fun to be home with both kids on a weekday – especially on a day when we feel somewhat (although not literally) snowed in.
It reminds me way back in the day (ok, I guess it was only 3-5 years ago) when I had both kids home with me the majority of the time. I remember the difficulty of that time period – feeling like I was cooking, cleaning up or changing diapers 95% of the time) but more than that I remember the fun we had. Some days we stayed in our pj’s all day long. We played legos, read lots of books, played music, did puzzles – basically did what we wanted together because there was no school schedule. And although I love my kids at the age that they are now, I do miss having them both home with me.
So today shot me back in time – remembering those days of my precious little people at home - only they are now 5 and 7 years old – not 2 and 4. (sniff, sniff)
We had a blast and because my camera was a little lonely from lack of photos lately, I pulled it out to document our day.
Phase 1 – Christmas Cookies
How could we NOT make them???
Phase 2: Star Wars adventure around the house with home-made light sabers (yes, the stick with blue marker on it)
Phase 3: Set up traps and spy gear all over the house to attack dad when he gets home.
Aforementioned spy gear alarm set to go off along with one of many stacked cup traps to topple and make noise when Ryan opens the door.
Phase 4: Reading time in the most logical, comfortable locale: the stairway.
Phase 6: Copious amounts of fun taking pictures of ourselves on the computer.
Phase 7: A stack of holiday books read by the warm fire and tree
Phase 8: Gear up and face the blizzard to clear the driveway
Happy Snow Day to us!!
December 6, 2009
I do not like mice. Especially mice in my house. Because we live with a field in our backyard, they occasionally make their way into our home. Thankfully, they always go to the same location, under the sink, and are lured by a delectable taste of peanut butter on a trap.
In previous years, the mice have seemed to always come when Ryan was on a trip. When that happens, I buck up. In the need to protect myself and my children from small rodents, I get those mice at whatever the cost.
I ooze bravery.
I’ve caught a mouse by slapping a bowl over it. During The Mouse Incident of ‘06, with the assistance of my 4-year-old, I trapped one under a giant tupperware container with mouse traps. (see Exhibit A)
But when Ryan is home, I turn in to a baby. A giant scaredy-cat. I don’t want to look at a mouse, take one out of a trap, or get anywhere near where I think they may be hiding out of fear that they will run over my feet. I want him to take care of it.
He had the opportunity on Friday.
It all began at 7:05 am when K-Fab ran into my bedroom. Ryan was out driving to his workplace, checking the roads because of a snowstorm. She barged into my room, “Mom, I heard a loud bang in the kitchen! I’m scared!”. I figured it was probably the mouse trap, so we cautiously made our way to the kitchen. She didn’t want to see it and I didn’t want to open the door, so we compromised: She stood as far away from the cabinet as she could to open it, and I stood in the middle of the kitchen to get the head on view of where we keep the trap – deep under the sink.
You can imagine the horror in my little 5 year old’s face as she opened the door slightly only to see the little mouse, front and center, peering right back up at her.
This terrorized her.
She slammed the door shut and began crying and hysterically screaming, “It’s alive! It’s alive!!”.
So I did what any protective, caring mother would do.
I grabbed her and we jumped up on the counter.
J-Money quietly walked out from his bedroom, having been awakened by the screaming. So I quickly told him there was a live mouse under the sink and instructed him to jump up on the counter, just to be safe.
Since we knew that the first trap had been set off, I grabbed another trap and quickly and stealthily shoved it into the other side of the cabinet. This took every ounce of bravery that I could conjure up.
The kids and I sat, as quiet as could be, up on the kitchen counter, only to hear little mouse squeaking and moving around. It was disturbing to hear, knowing there was a little rodent in my kitchen, roaming around under the sink… and there we sat, waiting for it to take the bait of the other trap.
Ryan returned home at this point, a good 40 minutes after K-Fab originally heard the first trap go off.
What you are about to see, I can’t say I’m proud of – I’m a wimp. But as we ventured as a family to catch that mouse (OK, it was mostly Ryan and the kids and I just held the video camera), the situation turned funny. I hope you enjoy the drama of our family getting rid of the mouse in our house.
Our Family vs. The Mouse (you may have to turn the volume up to hear Ryan’s comments well, but be warned – there may be a loud comment or two from me )
November 30, 2009
Wow – it has been a while since I posted something on this blog. And after being questioned about why I haven’t updated it lately by my sister-in-law during a belated Thanksgiving meal, I thought a quick update would be nice.
If you’re curious as to why I have been AWOL, it’s a simple answer – I needed a break from the computer.
Don’t get me wrong – man, I love my Mac. It’s bright and shiny and gives me messages from my friends. It displays all the photos I’ve taken in bright technicolor. It stores much adored worship music as well as some family dance tunes including Hannah Montana, of course.
A few years ago, I certainly would have temporarily deserted my old computer based on rip-my-hair-out-frustrations with dial-up-slow internet, painfully slow processing, dreadful color and … must I go on? (too many bad memories from that old PC).
But this computer has treated me well – almost too well.
The internet has an endless plethora to offer – perpetual updates from friends, relatives, vague acquaintances and a few “friend of a friend” people via facebook and twitter; never-ending recipes galore; shopping extravaganzas with don’t-miss-it specials and coupons at a gazillion online shopping venues; countless blogs where I can read about anything, everything and all that is in between; beautiful photography websites to be jealous of admire. The list goes on. I mean. . . seriously. Have you really considered the magnitude of the internet? You can look up ANYTHING!!
But as I’ve been reflecting on how I spend my time, I was sensing that being on the computer for hours wasn’t the best for me. As my dear friend Oprah would say, I wasn’t “living my best life”. (OK, so I’m sure you know we’re not really friends, but I did attend a taping of her show and I swear she was looking at me like we were BFF’s)
Total side track.
Sorry.
Seriously though, I have an incredible husband, two amazing kids, the majority of my family around town, friends who I cherish, a warm home, food on the table and clothes on my back. I want to embrace the gifts God’s given around me – not search around in cyberspace. Be with my family, not with computer keys. Invest time with those that I love, not in the deal-of-the-moment online shopping trip. The internet has much to offer and simplifies life in many ways, but at the same time, it can rob me of precious moments with those who are truly important to me. I’ve simply realized that using the computer, for me, can be likened to pomegranate martinis – best in moderation.
All that being said, I’m not writing off blogging, photography or my dear Mac for good. Heaven’s no. But I am being mindful of my time and trying to use it wisely.
It’s an early New Year’s Resolution.
Wish me luck!
November 7, 2009
A couple weekends ago we went up north to go wine tasting with some friends. Housing (right on Lake Michigan!) was graciously provided for us by a relative of one of the couples. The two little cabins beside one another were adorable, overlooking the lake. Here are some of my favorite photos from our weekend.
Amy's boots as we walked to the water to enjoy the view
All ready to go wine tasting
One of the first vineyards
Wine barrels outside one of the wineries
Tasting at our favorite of all the wineries - Brys Estate
Here are a few photos of our friends:
Nick and Amy
Dave and Ang
Ryan and Amy
OK, they were being too silly, here’s a real one:
Back to the vineyards - gorgeous grapes!!
Girls having fun
Ang's idea for a photo op
My grandmother (Grammie) and faithful reader of this blog who lives in Florida always wants me to post photos of myself. But, since it’s a photo blog of my photos, my thought was that I was only going to post photos that I have taken. However, because I love Grammie, this one’s for her:
November 2, 2009
A couple weeks ago at the grocery store, I wandered over to the clearance kids toys. I had no kids with me – otherwise this would have been shopping suicide. I already get enough “Can I have this? Can I have that?” questions just going through the food aisles. But if I were to venture down the toy aisles with my children – fo-getta-bout-it.
I’m not sure what prompted this impromptu shopping diversion but I found a hot deal on one of the greatest crafts I’ve ever seen. They are called EnviroBLOX. They were a drastic 75% off for only $2.50. I just pulled out one of the two boxes I bought (I should have bought twelve) today and it was a HUGE hit with K-Fab.
The box includes 150 moldable pieces, 3 modeling tools, 1 sheet of monster parts, and directions for a variety of monsters.
All you do is dab each piece on a wet sponge and press it to another piece and they stick together!!!
Here is my first monster creation:
Here is K-Fab’s:
Here’s our attempt to create a dog like monster together – unfortunately, we both started making the body so I had to improvise to combine them which didn’t go too well. This poor creature had different size legs. Good thing our set of EnvirBLOX was a ‘monster’ set.
An alternate view of scary-multi-legged-dog-monster:
Here is K-Fab’s …. uh…. er…. I have no clue what this is. But she had fun making it and that’s what matters.
My final thought on these EnviroBLOX which makes them super cool is that they are completely biodegradable. When you are finished, you can put them in the sink, turn on the water and they will dissolve and disappear. ALSO – completely safe – no paint materials of any kind used (only food dye colorants). Amazing!!!! (And – they come in many different sets – not just monsters )
