What an awesome, awesome, AWESOME concert last night! WOW! Israel Houghton & New Breed opened and then Chris Tomlin performed for almost 2 hours, singing all of my favorites. My question leaving was 'Why don't we worship like that (uninhibited) at church?' 'Why do we feel we have to be in a cookie cutter box?' It was an uplifting, refreshing, moving, and a powerful experience! I think I need to start busting it open on Sundays. That turn a few heads, but who cares. Right?
Here are just a few clips from last nights performance. Of course I have a few NEW Chris Tomlin tunes to add to my favorites list!
I just finished up my Saturday AM phone session. Have to unpack an order and then get ready to leave for the studio to teach a color clinic this afternoon. Watching the WINNING Pittsburgh Steelers dominate in the Super Bowl tomorrow! I HAVE to get video of THAT!
I am totally stoked! I ran/shuffled 2 1/2 miles yesterday OUTSIDE and conquer the MONSTER Brentwood Hill! I mean MONSTER! I have been side-lined from running for the past 2 years d/t an ailing Achilles tendon problem, too much high heels on hard surfaces for too many years! Completed 3 months of PT 2 months ago and gradually worked at a walk/run program since to ease back into running! It felt soooo good with my ipod blaring my favorite tunes as I shuffled my loop!
Hugs.
Jill
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Concert Highlights
What an awesome, awesome, AWESOME concert last night! WOW! Israel Houghton & New Breed opened and then Chris Tomlin performed for almost 2 hours, singing all of my favorites. My question leaving was 'Why don't we worship like that (uninhibited) at church?' 'Why do we feel we have to be in a cookie cutter box?' It was an uplifting, refreshing, moving, and a powerful experience! I think I need to start busting it open on Sundays. That will turn a few heads, but who cares. Right?
Here are just a few clips from last nights performance. Of course I have a few NEW Chris Tomlin tunes to add to my favorites list!
I just finished up my Saturday AM phone session. Have to unpack an order and then get ready to leave for the studio to teach a color clinic this afternoon. Watching the WINNING Pittsburgh Steelers dominate in the Super Bowl tomorrow! I HAVE to get video of THAT!
I am totally stoked! I ran/shuffled 2 1/2 miles yesterday OUTSIDE and conquer the MONSTER Brentwood Hill! I mean MONSTER! I have been side-lined from running for the past 2 years d/t an ailing Achilles tendon problem, too much high heels on hard surfaces for too many years! Completed 3 months of PT 2 months ago and gradually worked at a walk/run program since to ease back into running! It felt soooo good with my ipod blaring my favorite tunes as I shuffled my loop!
Kevin, so sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that I am praying for you and your family every day. Trials always produced opportunities for growth.
Hugs.
Jill
Here are just a few clips from last nights performance. Of course I have a few NEW Chris Tomlin tunes to add to my favorites list!
I just finished up my Saturday AM phone session. Have to unpack an order and then get ready to leave for the studio to teach a color clinic this afternoon. Watching the WINNING Pittsburgh Steelers dominate in the Super Bowl tomorrow! I HAVE to get video of THAT!
I am totally stoked! I ran/shuffled 2 1/2 miles yesterday OUTSIDE and conquer the MONSTER Brentwood Hill! I mean MONSTER! I have been side-lined from running for the past 2 years d/t an ailing Achilles tendon problem, too much high heels on hard surfaces for too many years! Completed 3 months of PT 2 months ago and gradually worked at a walk/run program since to ease back into running! It felt soooo good with my ipod blaring my favorite tunes as I shuffled my loop!
Kevin, so sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that I am praying for you and your family every day. Trials always produced opportunities for growth.
Hugs.
Jill
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tonight IS the night!
Thought I would give you a sneak peak at what's in store for tonight! I am unbelievably excited! I LOVE Chris Tomlin! Last minute decision for the girls, they decided NOT to come, so we are taking another couple. I can't wait to get my BUCKET filled! 7th Row, Center Stage! These are CURRENTLY my two favorite Chris Tomlin songs. ENJOY! Plus two awesome videos, makes me want to reach through the computer screen and just hug HIM! ....... Someday!
P.S. Kennedy had a GREAT game yesterday! I forgot my camera, so no highlight film to share. I can't believe how much she has improved! AND she admitted that she actually is starting to LIKE basketball! She had LOTS of steals, rebounds, and hussled!
P.S. Kennedy had a GREAT game yesterday! I forgot my camera, so no highlight film to share. I can't believe how much she has improved! AND she admitted that she actually is starting to LIKE basketball! She had LOTS of steals, rebounds, and hussled!
Tonight IS the night!
Thought I would give you a sneak peak at what's in store for tonight! I am unbelievably excited! I LOVE Chris Tomlin! Last minute decision for the girls, they decided NOT to come, so we are taking another couple. I can't wait to get my BUCKET filled! 7th Row, Center Stage! These are CURRENTLY my two favorite Chris Tomlin songs. ENJOY! Plus two awesome videos, makes me want to reach through the computer screen and just hug HIM! ....... Someday!
P.S. Kennedy had a GREAT game yesterday! I forgot my camera, so no highlight film to share. I can't believe how much she has improved! AND she admitted that she actually is starting to LIKE basketball! She had LOTS of steals, rebounds, and hussled!
P.S. Kennedy had a GREAT game yesterday! I forgot my camera, so no highlight film to share. I can't believe how much she has improved! AND she admitted that she actually is starting to LIKE basketball! She had LOTS of steals, rebounds, and hussled!
I saw this today on facebook and wanted to share. It is very cool! BTW, I am now completely addicted to facebook. I have reconnected with YES, Rachel Maris! AND Nyla Norton plus people from Luther, old friends, new friends. It is amazing!!! You should check it out! I have talked to people I haven't seen in YEARS!
SUNSHINE OPPORTUNITY
Yesterday I attended a Jammin January fun day at the Village. It was a 3 hour talent show and Karaoke jamfest in the gym for residents and staff. What fun and so much laughter. From Susan C performing to Dancing Queen, the cabinet singing and performing Leader of Pack with our very own CEO riding a scooter dressed in a do rag and black leather jacket to Splish Splash by life skills Karaoke was equally entertaining. Shiela Tibben sang You Light up my Life to one of the residents. Awesome. Then prizes were awarded in several categories!
Dad and I came across a quote this morning that I wanted to share with all of you.
When we bring sunshine into the lives of others, we are warmed by it ourselves.
When we spill a little happiness, it splashes on us.
Hope each of you get a little happiness splashed on you today:)
Love you all Mom
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What Was I Thinking?
Seriously, what was I thinking is the question I am asking again and again. A guilty pleasure is that what some call it? Addiction? Reliving my youth? Whatever you term it this morning, it was NOT good! I am trying to off set the ramifications with a double sized cup of coffee this morning!
SO, time to fess up!
I am addicted to video games! There you have it, out in the open. I need HELP!
If you have been following my blog for any length of time, then you know the ONE and ONLY Christmas gift I received from my family was a Nintendo DS! In fact, a highlight from Christmas break was connecting with Carter's (age 7) DS to chat and seeing if we could help Sponge Bob ward off the creatures of the water world.
After wrapping up the necessary office work, phone calls, homework, and tucking the babes in bed my pearlized pink 'compact' was calling my name! I snuggled under the comfort of my quilt and 'let the games begin'.
Each level proved more challenging than the next and before you knew it I was already to level 9! Each time before the stylus clicked ok to advance to a new level I said to myself, 'OK this is the LAST one!'
Hmmm, I believe I said that at least 5 times! When the kink in my neck need some adjusting, I peaked at the clock.
1:00 AM! WHAT!
Panic struck and the thought of breakfast, back packs, and buses raced through my thoughts!
WHAT WAS I THINKING!
I instantly ceased fire, powered down, and was determined to fall asleep IMMEDIATELY!
IMMEDIATELY? Right! with crosswords, word search, and anagrams racing through my head, apparently the rest of my brain had not yet caught up to it's last thought. So there I laid with S, T, D, R, A, E, I O, U forming new words not yet in Websters! Obviously I had gone against every sleep manual know to man kind and and was I going to pay for it!
Who knows what time my brain finally caught up to that panic thought. I gave up trying to mix numbers and letters, stimulating more activity.
What I do know was this annoying buzzing sound in the distance at 6:30 AM! O! yeah my alarm!
The slightest thought of battling the next warrior or solving the next word search was the farthest from thought. All I could think was 'What Was I Thinking?'
So I sit here this morning, coffee in hand, kids to school, eyes HEAVY, body sluggish, staring at a list of 40 women to call, writing a new page for my web site, chicken chili to get in the crock pot, processing last nights networking meeting, a BB game, and O! yeah..a workout!
Seriously! What WAS I thinking?
What Was I Thinking?
Seriously, what was I thinking is the question I am asking again and again. A guilty pleasure is that what some call it? Addiction? Reliving my youth? Whatever you term it this morning, it was NOT good! I am trying to off set the ramifications with a double sized cup of coffee!
SO, time to fess up!
I am addicted to video games! There you have it, out in the open. I need HELP!
If you have been following my blog for any length of time, then you know the ONE and ONLY Christmas gift I received from my family was a Nintendo DS! In fact, a highlight from Christmas break was connecting with Carter's (age 7) DS to chat and seeing if we could help Sponge Bob ward off the creatures of the water world.
After wrapping up the necessary office work, phone calls, homework, and tucking the babes in bed my pearlized pink 'compact' was calling my name! I snuggled under the comfort of my quilt and 'let the games begin'.
Each level proved more challenging than the next and before you knew it I was already to level 9! Each time before the stylus clicked ok to advance to a new level I said to myself, 'OK this is the LAST one!'
Hmmm, I believe I said that at least 5 times! When the kink in my neck need some adjusting, I peaked at the clock.
1:00 AM! WHAT!
Panic struck and the thought of breakfast, back packs, and buses raced through my thoughts!
WHAT WAS I THINKING!
I instantly ceased fire, powered down, and was determined to fall asleep IMMEDIATELY!
IMMEDIATELY? Right! with crosswords, word search, and anagrams racing through my head, apparently the rest of my brain had not yet caught up to it's last thought. So there I laid with S, T, D, R, A, E, I O, U forming new words not yet in Websters! Obviously I had gone against every sleep manual know to man kind and was I going to pay for it!
Who knows what time my brain finally caught up to that panic thought. I gave up trying to mix numbers and letters, stimulating more activity.
What I do know was this annoying buzzing sound in the distance at 6:30 AM! O! yeah my alarm!
The slightest thought of battling the next warrior or solving the next word search was the farthest from thought. All I could think was 'What Was I Thinking?'
So I sit here this morning, coffee in hand, kids to school, eyes HEAVY, body sluggish, staring at a list of 40 women to call, writing a new page for my web site, chicken chili to get in the crock pot, processing last nights networking meeting, a BB game, and O! yeah..a workout!
Seriously! What WAS I thinking?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
REDNECK AND DUCT TAPE AND VALENTINES
DOES EVERYONE HAVE THEIR VALENTINES BOUGHT
Okay I have entirely too much time on my hands. Anyway with Jill driving a vehicle with a duct taped mirror and Jason being duct taped to the wall I went on line and discovered a site which should probably be restricted to ONLY rednecks! -------------------- Hmmm 
If you need to eliminate a little stress try ducttapeguys.com. :) MOM
My Definition of Success
I was on a mission yesterday to discover NEW ways to use VERY ripe bananas, 8 in all! While banana bread is a HUGE hit at our house, I just couldn't see making a quadruple batch. Mr. Milo is not a fan of banana bread and I am all about making Mr. Milo happy these days! So I thought long and hard until I remembered WAY back to our college days. He worked one summer on a pig farm. Mrs. Hinker was a good ole Midwest farm wife who cooked enormous noon day meals for her family and the hired help. Milo would come home each night raving about what he ate that day. Being young and newly married I of course was looking for any recipe I could find to build my box of favorites. This one day in particular he just couldn't stop raving about Mrs. Hinkers banana bars, so much in fact that he brought the recipe home the next day.
When that memory came back to me yesterday, I searched long and hard for Mrs. Hinkers banana bar recipe because I KNEW it would be just the ticket! Being the good lil wife, I hurried to get most of my office work and phone calls complete, as I knew I would doing another phone session later in the day. By 11:00 I was done and in the kitchen to have the aroma of freshly baked banana bars engulfing the house before he came home for lunch. Ironically enough just as I was grabbing the frosting (ok...may be not completely homemade) from the pantry, he walks through the door. I greeted him with a kiss. He smiles and asks if I am trying to make Riley jealous as that is her duty the minute his feet hit the door.
I quickly reply back, 'Of course not, I am just wanted to greet, my hard working husband!' I then ask what he fancied for lunch, an egg mcmuffin or reheated spaghetti. Sorry Mrs. Hinker!
We sit down to enjoy a noon meal together, complete with a very in depth conversation about Jonah being swallowed by a whale and what exactly did that mean.
Lunch wrapped up and he cozied in for an afternoon at the dining room table to work. A 1/2 hour later as his lunch settled I brought him a warm, banana bar topped with whipped (his favorite) buttercream frosting sitting on a pretty Valentine napkin. I sealed it with a kiss and words of appreciation for his hard work. I remember what it is like to be in sales, to be working and not seeing any immediate results. But rest assured if one does the daily activity needed, the results WILL come!
I finished up my supper preparations (ham balls, cheesy potatoes, and jello salad) then removed my apron and adorned my business suit so I could slip back to work mode before changing again at 3:30 to mom mode. I swear, I have a telephone booth right outside my office door.
Later that day the remaining banana bars were appreciated by ALL! And a double batch of banana muffins stored in the freezer to be seen at a later date. All 8 ripened bananas found a home yesterday, I put a smile on Mr. Milo's face, and my mission was accomplished!
Yesterday was most definitely a SUCCESS!
My Definition of Success
I was on a mission yesterday to discover NEW ways to use VERY ripe bananas, 8 in all! While banana bread is a HUGE hit at our house, I just couldn't fathom making a quadruple batch. Mr. Milo is not a fan of banana bread and I am all about making Mr. Milo happy these days! So I thought long and hard until I remembered WAY back to our college days. He worked one summer on a pig farm. Mrs. Hinker was a good ole Midwest farm wife who cooked enormous noon day meals for her family and the hired help. Milo would come home each night raving about what he ate that day. Being young and newly married, I of course was looking for any recipe I could find to build my box of favorites. This day in particular he couldn't stop raving about Mrs. Hinkers banana bars, so much in fact that he brought the recipe home the next day.
When that memory came back to me, I searched long and hard for Mrs. Hinkers banana bar recipe because I KNEW it would be just the ticket! Being a good lil wife, I hurried to get most of my office work and phone calls complete, as I knew I would doing another phone session later in the day. By 11:00 I was done and in the kitchen so I could have the aroma of freshly baked banana bars engulfing the house before he came home for lunch. Ironically, just as I was grabbing the frosting (ok...may be not completely homemade) from the pantry, he walked through the door. I greeted him with a kiss. He smiled and asked if I was trying to make Riley jealous.
I quickly replied back, 'Of course not, I am just wanted to greet, my hard working husband!' I then asked what he fancied for lunch, an egg mcmuffin or reheated spaghetti. Sorry Mrs. Hinker!
We sat down to enjoy a meal together, complete with a very in depth conversation about Jonah being swallowed by a whale and what exactly did that mean.
Lunch wrapped up and he cozied in for an afternoon at the dining room table to work. A 1/2 hour later as his lunch settled I brought him a warm, banana bar topped with whipped (his favorite) buttercream frosting sitting on a pretty Valentine napkin. I sealed it with a kiss and words of appreciation for his hard work. I know what it is like to be in sales, to work and not see immediate results. But rest assured if one does the daily activity needed, the results WILL come!
I finished up my supper preparations (ham balls, cheesy potatoes, and jello salad) then removed my apron and adorned my business suit so I could slip back to work mode before changing again at 3:30 to mom mode. I swear, I have a telephone booth right outside my office door.
Later that day the remaining banana bars were appreciated by ALL! And a double batch of banana muffins were stored in the freezer to be eaten at a later date. All 8 ripened bananas found a use yesterday, I put a smile on Mr. Milo's face, and my mission was accomplished!
Yesterday, was most definitely a SUCCESS!
BLOGGING IN
Got a little prompt from my partner so thought I would check in. Not much new to report. We
still have all our snow plus another inch from a couple of days ago. Had a board meeting last week and stephen minister's last nite. We are once again in the billing cycle at the office so bookwork calls.
Great pix, Ken. Great Hustle!! Go Linn Mar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
still have all our snow plus another inch from a couple of days ago. Had a board meeting last week and stephen minister's last nite. We are once again in the billing cycle at the office so bookwork calls.
Great pix, Ken. Great Hustle!! Go Linn Mar !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jenny, dad and I went down to see Grandma on Sunday. She is obviously declining but seems at peace which is good. Jenny enjoyed seeing her and took her a piece of birthday cake.
I little cute tidbit from Dell Rapids. Smokie and Bandit send out their thanks to Claire for including them in her prayers last nite---I am told with no prompting!
MEOW MEOW
Kay Norwood called and had good news. They are expecting another grandson, their daughter is getting married and she is changing her care doctor to Rochester rather than Denver. Hummmm--guess that means a stop in Sanborn--halfway. We should get to see them a little more. That will be fun!
Since Jason is getting duct taped to the wall Friday nite I hope we all get to see a pix?
What do you think Em?
Gotta run. Love to all Mom
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Happy Dance!
Happy January 27th at 9:23 AM!
I can hardly contain my excitement for the next 13 days! AND I mean HARDLY! I am bursting at the seams and have been looking forward to this 2 week window in my life for MONTHS! In EXACTLY 287 hours and 3 minutes, I will be boarding a flight in Dallas, TX in route to Cabo San Lucas, arrival time. 11:30 AM!
Last night as I snuggled up to my GREAT smelling husband in bed, he has got to wear that cologne more often! I whispered in his ear, 'In exactly 14 days we will be snuggling up at the Royal Solaris all inclusive in Cabo San Lucas listening to the waves and feeling the sun on our faces. I can't WAIT!'. He snuggled me in close and whispered back, 'I can't either!'
Seriously, my insides are ready to BUST open, I am so darn excited!!!! If you could look inside my cells are jumping up and down, with little smiles on their faces plastered from ear to ear!
The OTHER thing I am BUSTING at the seams for and is in ONLY 3 DAYS is the Chris Tomlin concert! The MINUTE I heard Chris Tomlin was coming to Cedar 
Rapids last November, I tried EVERY MORNING at 7:00 AM to win tickets 5 days straight. NO LUCK.
Rapids last November, I tried EVERY MORNING at 7:00 AM to win tickets 5 days straight. NO LUCK.So the minute I realized my lack of speed dial ability, I ordered them up on Ticketmaster, mission accomplished. 7th row, center stage! By the way, did you know that Chris Tomlin is my FAVORITE contemporary Christian music performer? MY FAVORITE! If you look at my ipod, he by far out lists anyone else!
I night filled with my FAVORITE praise and worship music, arms up high in the air. I CAN'T NOT WAIT! It is now 9:30 AM and exactly 81 1/2 hours until 7:00 on Friday night! OK..the body cells are doing the happy dance! AGAIN!
After spell check, editing, and insertion of pictures, I now only have 81 hours and 12 minutes until Friday and 286 hours and 35 minutes I hear, 'Calling all passengers for flight 5430 to Cabo San Lucas. You are now ready to board!'
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
The Happy Dance!
Happy January 27th at 9:23 AM!
I can hardly contain my excitement for the next 13 days! AND I mean HARDLY! I am bursting at the seams and have been looking forward to this 2 week window in my life for MONTHS! In EXACTLY 287 hours and 3 minutes, I will be boarding a flight in Dallas, TX in route to Cabo San Lucas, arrival time. 11:30 AM!
Last night as I snuggled up to my GREAT smelling husband in bed, he has got to wear that cologne more often! I whispered in his ear, 'In exactly 14 days we will be snuggling up at the Royal Solaris all inclusive in Cabo San Lucas listening to the waves and feeling the sun on our faces. I can't WAIT!'. He snuggled me in close and whispered back, 'I can't either!'
Seriously, my insides are ready to BUST open, I am so darn excited!!!! If you could look inside my cells are jumping up and down, with little smiles on their faces plastered from ear to ear!
The OTHER thing I am BUSTING at the seams for and is in ONLY 3 DAYS is the Chris Tomlin concert! The MINUTE I heard Chris Tomlin was coming to Cedar Rapids last November, I tried EVERY MORNING at 7:00 AM to win tickets 5 days straight. NO LUCK.
Rapids last November, I tried EVERY MORNING at 7:00 AM to win tickets 5 days straight. NO LUCK.So the minute I realized my lack of speed dial ability, I ordered them up on Ticketmaster, mission accomplished. 7th row, center stage! By the way, did you know that Chris Tomlin is my FAVORITE contemporary Christian music performer? MY FAVORITE! If you look at my ipod, he by far out lists anyone else!
A night filled with my FAVORITE praise and worship music, arms up high in the air. I CAN'T NOT WAIT! It is now 9:30 AM and exactly 81 1/2 hours until 7:00 on Friday night! OK..the body cells are doing the happy dance! AGAIN!
After spell check, editing, and insertion of pictures, I now only have 81 hours and 12 minutes until Friday and 286 hours and 35 minutes until I hear, 'Calling all passengers for flight 5430 to Cabo San Lucas. You are now ready to board!'
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Monday, January 26, 2009
shhhhh...Can you hear that?
As we continue the Lazarus series at church, we just wrapped up Chapter 4 on hearing the Voice Of Love. I loved this chapter and so far, probably my favorite.
If you haven't read the Lazarus Life, by Stephen Smith I would highly recommend it! It is an easy read with a powerful message.
The question was posed yesterday. How does God speak to us? The message was simple, straight, and to the point.
1. God speaks through chance encounters. I believe that there are no such things as coincidences, but instead God-incidences. Times when things appear to happen by chance or luck, when really it is all in the master plan. If you are not paying attention you may miss them. Often times we look back in retrospec to realize the grasp of what happened. In our family, we call those moments 'mini miracles'. For a GREAT mini miracle story, check out a post in January of 08, called 'It's a Mini Miracle'. It is a great story about seeing how God works in the VERY small things of life.
2. God speaks to us through scripture. The times that I doubt and wonder what to do, are times that through His Word I am affirmed and given direction. Sometimes a verse will pop in my head or while reading scripture, it will 'jump' off the page. In those moments I KNOW that God is talking directly to me. In order to have God speak to you through scripture, you have to get in the Word. The most effective learning tool for me was to join a scripture based bible study. Not one that followed a book, but one that ONLY used the bible as the study. Books are good, but the absolute TRUTH is the BEST! Bible Study Fellowship was the vehicle that I used for 7 years, until I 'graduated'. I very intentionally and indepthly studied the entire Bible. It is an international organization with studies all around the world. If you click on the web site below, I bet you will find one in your neck of the woods! They also have an amazing children's program. I believe a lot of Madison's faith base came from being involved with BSF! Check it out! www.bsfinternational.org
3. Conversations with other people. Are you paying attention to the conversations you are having every day? There have been times when a friend or even a stranger says something to me that 'just sticks'. Just a few weeks ago when interviewing for an administration position, I was able to spend an incredible hour with a man of faith. Obviously, I am in a very prayerful time of my life as I seek direction on job opportunities and the growth of my Reveal business. I believe that I was meant to have an encounter with him that day. Although we never directly discussed my situation, it was one sentence that he said that reaffirmed the steadfast direction I am pursuing. He said, 'I believe that you are a very gifted person, who knows exactly what your gifts and talents are. I believe that you should embrace those gifts and continue to follow the path in which they are leading you down.' It was in that exact moment that I believe God used him to give me the affirmation I was seeking on the continue pursuit of Reveal. I was called back for a second interview, but I didn't get the job.
4. God speaks to us through circumstances. I believe EVERYTHING happens in life for a reason or a lesson to be learned. Because of our free will, we sometimes don't make the right decisions and those choices lead to results that are negative. We live in a imperfect world, negative things happen like floods, earthquakes, and diseases. Because Adam and Eve ate the apple, things are just messed up. Sometime we suffer as a result of things we have no control over. Other times we suffer as a direct result of a poor choice. No one is immune to suffering, it is part of the journey. But whatever the circumstance, there is always HOPE! Sometimes those lessons are good and sometimes those lessons are painful. But the ABSOLUTE end result will be INCREDIBLE! We just have to continue to walk this journey, enduring the detours and bumps, and gaining insight with the lessons learned along the way. God can lead us through ANYTHING! Had the failing economy not affected us through a recent job loss, I don't believe we would have grown in the incredible ways that we have over the last 2 months. Painful... absolutely! Enriching.... beyond words!
This is a prayer that I wrote that was used at our services yesterday. I hope that it blesses you.
I believe that I am a unique and extraordinary person, created by You my Heavenly Father.
I am created for a life filled with change as You mold, shape, and walk with me through this transformation.
Father forgive me for I know that I have filled my life with busyness, alienating myself from fully experiencing your love.
I have allowed self-rejection to fill my head and heart with the lies. I have sought and gained knowledge of You, yet I remain the same.
Help me to experience that nothing is more important than learning to love others and receive love in return.
Today, I ask that You take my knowledge of Your love and sink it deep into the depth of my heart. I no longer want to be sidelined from true transformation.
Silence my surroundings and thoughts, so I can only hear Your Voice.
Swell my heart with Your love as I accept the invitation to be my authentic self for You and for others.
For You are the one true Voice, who gives me unconditional love, a love that has no end.
Amen
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 1 Kings 19:11 - 12
When God spoke to Elijah, He wasn't in the hurricane, the wind, the earthquake or even the fire. He was in the gentle and quiet whisper.
Sometimes in order to see and hear God communicate with us, we must pray, watch, listen, observe, and truly be aware of His daily presence in our lives. How are you witnessing His workings and communication to you, TODAY? Many times it is in the subtle, quiet things of life.
If you haven't read the Lazarus Life, by Stephen Smith I would highly recommend it! It is an easy read with a powerful message.
The question was posed yesterday. How does God speak to us? The message was simple, straight, and to the point.
1. God speaks through chance encounters. I believe that there are no such things as coincidences, but instead God-incidences. Times when things appear to happen by chance or luck, when really it is all in the master plan. If you are not paying attention you may miss them. Often times we look back in retrospec to realize the grasp of what happened. In our family, we call those moments 'mini miracles'. For a GREAT mini miracle story, check out a post in January of 08, called 'It's a Mini Miracle'. It is a great story about seeing how God works in the VERY small things of life.
2. God speaks to us through scripture. The times that I doubt and wonder what to do, are times that through His Word I am affirmed and given direction. Sometimes a verse will pop in my head or while reading scripture, it will 'jump' off the page. In those moments I KNOW that God is talking directly to me. In order to have God speak to you through scripture, you have to get in the Word. The most effective learning tool for me was to join a scripture based bible study. Not one that followed a book, but one that ONLY used the bible as the study. Books are good, but the absolute TRUTH is the BEST! Bible Study Fellowship was the vehicle that I used for 7 years, until I 'graduated'. I very intentionally and indepthly studied the entire Bible. It is an international organization with studies all around the world. If you click on the web site below, I bet you will find one in your neck of the woods! They also have an amazing children's program. I believe a lot of Madison's faith base came from being involved with BSF! Check it out! www.bsfinternational.org
3. Conversations with other people. Are you paying attention to the conversations you are having every day? There have been times when a friend or even a stranger says something to me that 'just sticks'. Just a few weeks ago when interviewing for an administration position, I was able to spend an incredible hour with a man of faith. Obviously, I am in a very prayerful time of my life as I seek direction on job opportunities and the growth of my Reveal business. I believe that I was meant to have an encounter with him that day. Although we never directly discussed my situation, it was one sentence that he said that reaffirmed the steadfast direction I am pursuing. He said, 'I believe that you are a very gifted person, who knows exactly what your gifts and talents are. I believe that you should embrace those gifts and continue to follow the path in which they are leading you down.' It was in that exact moment that I believe God used him to give me the affirmation I was seeking on the continue pursuit of Reveal. I was called back for a second interview, but I didn't get the job.
4. God speaks to us through circumstances. I believe EVERYTHING happens in life for a reason or a lesson to be learned. Because of our free will, we sometimes don't make the right decisions and those choices lead to results that are negative. We live in a imperfect world, negative things happen like floods, earthquakes, and diseases. Because Adam and Eve ate the apple, things are just messed up. Sometime we suffer as a result of things we have no control over. Other times we suffer as a direct result of a poor choice. No one is immune to suffering, it is part of the journey. But whatever the circumstance, there is always HOPE! Sometimes those lessons are good and sometimes those lessons are painful. But the ABSOLUTE end result will be INCREDIBLE! We just have to continue to walk this journey, enduring the detours and bumps, and gaining insight with the lessons learned along the way. God can lead us through ANYTHING! Had the failing economy not affected us through a recent job loss, I don't believe we would have grown in the incredible ways that we have over the last 2 months. Painful... absolutely! Enriching.... beyond words!
This is a prayer that I wrote that was used at our services yesterday. I hope that it blesses you.
I believe that I am a unique and extraordinary person, created by You my Heavenly Father.
I am created for a life filled with change as You mold, shape, and walk with me through this transformation.
Father forgive me for I know that I have filled my life with busyness, alienating myself from fully experiencing your love.
I have allowed self-rejection to fill my head and heart with the lies. I have sought and gained knowledge of You, yet I remain the same.
Help me to experience that nothing is more important than learning to love others and receive love in return.
Today, I ask that You take my knowledge of Your love and sink it deep into the depth of my heart. I no longer want to be sidelined from true transformation.
Silence my surroundings and thoughts, so I can only hear Your Voice.
Swell my heart with Your love as I accept the invitation to be my authentic self for You and for others.
For You are the one true Voice, who gives me unconditional love, a love that has no end.
Amen
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 1 Kings 19:11 - 12
When God spoke to Elijah, He wasn't in the hurricane, the wind, the earthquake or even the fire. He was in the gentle and quiet whisper.
Sometimes in order to see and hear God communicate with us, we must pray, watch, listen, observe, and truly be aware of His daily presence in our lives. How are you witnessing His workings and communication to you, TODAY? Many times it is in the subtle, quiet things of life.
Shhhh....can you hear that?
Blessings.
Jill
Dear Phat Family,
Having been in the blogging world for over a year, I just wanted to let you know the reason for my daily blog entries. I don't know if you followed my personal blog before? The last thing I want you to do is add any type of 'I should be blogging more often guilt onto your full plates'.
As you know, I blog 'Once to experience life in the moment and twice in retrospect'. I LOVE that quote! There is also a very intentional method to my madness for the following reasons.
1. I want to leave a 'journal' of events and emotions for my girls to be able to reflect back on through the years. Giving them an insight into 'their mom'. Things that happen that we would easily forget about, things I was feeling. The way I reacted to everyday simple life things. It also gives me an archive to look back on for future scrapbooking memories!
2. I have a HUGE passion for the development of Reveal Speaking! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE public speaking and feel I have a message to share with women that can give them hope and inspire them both in the secular and the Christian arena. To be a good speaker, one needs to have stories! Blogging disciplines me to document those stories so that they can easily be transferred and adapted when putting together a presentation.
3. While developing my business, I believe it is important for my clients to get a glimpse into me, the EVERYDAY woman trying to muttle through this messy thing called LIFE. I want people to see the Jill, without make-up, tell all, bare all woman. I want to be relatable!
4. I have a growing passion for writing. Blogging disciplines me to practice that growing passion daily, so that I can develop a style and hopefully say I am getting better with practice. I tend to be 'wordy'. Writing is also a great outlet for me to express feelings and emotions, which is healthy as I work on the verbal side of that.
Most days I simple copy and paste my personal blog entry into the phatfamily blog. No big deal, however I have contemplated not doing that and just doing a bi-weekly or weekly, family update, but then honestly that would be 'extra' work, so I just copy and paste.
I tend to be one of those 'over acheivers' who looks to others thinking I need to do more, be more. My motto for 2009 is to simply be content and happy with person I AM TODAY, mentally, emotionally, and physcially. I hope that you have already moved to that place where you can say 'I am there!' and I am just the one slow in figuring that out. But in case you are working at it like me, I wanted to make sure you stay happy and content with who you are TODAY! Because that is exactly who YOU should BE!
Hugs.
Having been in the blogging world for over a year, I just wanted to let you know the reason for my daily blog entries. I don't know if you followed my personal blog before? The last thing I want you to do is add any type of 'I should be blogging more often guilt onto your full plates'.
As you know, I blog 'Once to experience life in the moment and twice in retrospect'. I LOVE that quote! There is also a very intentional method to my madness for the following reasons.
1. I want to leave a 'journal' of events and emotions for my girls to be able to reflect back on through the years. Giving them an insight into 'their mom'. Things that happen that we would easily forget about, things I was feeling. The way I reacted to everyday simple life things. It also gives me an archive to look back on for future scrapbooking memories!
2. I have a HUGE passion for the development of Reveal Speaking! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE public speaking and feel I have a message to share with women that can give them hope and inspire them both in the secular and the Christian arena. To be a good speaker, one needs to have stories! Blogging disciplines me to document those stories so that they can easily be transferred and adapted when putting together a presentation.
3. While developing my business, I believe it is important for my clients to get a glimpse into me, the EVERYDAY woman trying to muttle through this messy thing called LIFE. I want people to see the Jill, without make-up, tell all, bare all woman. I want to be relatable!
4. I have a growing passion for writing. Blogging disciplines me to practice that growing passion daily, so that I can develop a style and hopefully say I am getting better with practice. I tend to be 'wordy'. Writing is also a great outlet for me to express feelings and emotions, which is healthy as I work on the verbal side of that.
Most days I simple copy and paste my personal blog entry into the phatfamily blog. No big deal, however I have contemplated not doing that and just doing a bi-weekly or weekly, family update, but then honestly that would be 'extra' work, so I just copy and paste.
I tend to be one of those 'over acheivers' who looks to others thinking I need to do more, be more. My motto for 2009 is to simply be content and happy with person I AM TODAY, mentally, emotionally, and physcially. I hope that you have already moved to that place where you can say 'I am there!' and I am just the one slow in figuring that out. But in case you are working at it like me, I wanted to make sure you stay happy and content with who you are TODAY! Because that is exactly who YOU should BE!
Hugs.
shhhhh...Can you hear that?
As we continue the Lazarus series at church, we just wrapped up Chapter 4 on hearing the Voice Of Love. I loved this chapter and so far, probably my favorite.
If you haven't read the Lazarus Life, by Stephen Smith I would highly recommend it! It is an easy read with a powerful message.
The question was posed yesterday. How does God speak to us? The message was simple, straight, and to the point.
1. God speaks through chance encounters. I believe that there are no such things as coincidences, but instead God-incidences. Times when things appear to happen by chance or luck, when really it is all in the master plan. If you are not paying attention you may miss them. Often times we look back in retrospec to realize the grasp of what happened. In our family, we call those moments 'mini miracles'. For a GREAT mini miracle story, check out a post in January of 08, called 'It's a Mini Miracle'. It is a great story about seeing how God works in the VERY small things of life.
2. God speaks to us through scripture. The times that I doubt and wonder what to do, are times that through His Word I am affirmed and given direction. Sometimes a verse will pop in my head or while reading scripture, it will 'jump' off the page. In those moments I KNOW that God is talking directly to me. In order to have God speak to you through scripture, you have to get in the Word. The most effective learning tool for me was to join a scripture based bible study. Not one that followed a book, but one that ONLY used the bible as the study. Books are good, but the absolute TRUTH is the BEST! Bible Study Fellowship was the vehicle that I used for 7 years, until I 'graduated'. I very intentionally and indepthly studied the entire Bible. It is an international organization with studies all around the world. If you click on the web site below, I bet you will find one in your neck of the woods! They also have an amazing children's program. I believe a lot of Madison's faith base came from being involved with BSF! Check it out! www.bsfinternational.org
3. Conversations with other people. Are you paying attention to the conversations you are having every day? There have been times when a friend or even a stranger says something to me that 'just sticks'. Just a few weeks ago when interviewing for an administration position, I was able to spend an incredible hour with a man of faith. Obviously, I am in a very prayerful time of my life as I seek direction on job opportunities and the growth of my Reveal business. I believe that I was meant to have an encounter with him that day. Although we never directly discussed my situation, it was one sentence that he said that reaffirmed the steadfast direction I am pursuing. He said, 'I believe that you are a very gifted person, who knows exactly what your gifts and talents are. I believe that you should embrace those gifts and continue to follow the path in which they are leading you down.' It was in that exact moment that I believe God used him to give me the affirmation I was seeking on the continue pursuit of Reveal. I was called back for a second interview, but I didn't get the job.
4. God speaks to us through circumstances. I believe EVERYTHING happens in life for a reason or a lesson to be learned. Because of our free will, we sometimes don't make the right decisions and those choices lead to results that are negative. We live in a imperfect world, negative things happen like floods, earthquakes, and diseases. Because Adam and Eve ate the apple, things are just messed up. Sometime we suffer as a result of things we have no control over. Other times we suffer as a direct result of a poor choice. No one is immune to suffering, it is part of the journey. But whatever the circumstance, there is always HOPE! Sometimes those lessons are good and sometimes those lessons are painful. But the ABSOLUTE end result will be INCREDIBLE! We just have to continue to walk this journey, enduring the detours and bumps, and gaining insight with the lessons learned along the way. God can lead us through ANYTHING! Had the failing economy not affected us through a recent job loss, I don't believe we would have grown in the incredible ways that we have over the last 2 months. Painful... absolutely! Enriching.... beyond words!
This is a prayer that I wrote that was used at our services yesterday. I hope that it blesses you.
I believe that I am a unique and extraordinary person, created by You my Heavenly Father.
I am created for a life filled with change as You mold, shape, and walk with me through this transformation.
Father forgive me for I know that I have filled my life with busyness, alienating myself from fully experiencing your love.
I have allowed self-rejection to fill my head and heart with the lies. I have sought and gained knowledge of You, yet I remain the same.
Help me to experience that nothing is more important than learning to love others and receive love in return.
Today, I ask that You take my knowledge of Your love and sink it deep into the depth of my heart. I no longer want to be sidelined from true transformation.
Silence my surroundings and thoughts, so I can only hear Your Voice.
Swell my heart with Your love as I accept the invitation to be my authentic self for You and for others.
For You are the one true Voice, who gives me unconditional love, a love that has no end.
Amen
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 1 Kings 19:11 - 12
When God spoke to Elijah, He wasn't in the hurricane, the wind, the earthquake or even the fire. He was in the gentle and quiet whisper.
Sometimes in order to see and hear God communicate with us, we must pray, watch, listen, observe, and truly be aware of His daily presence in our lives. How are you witnessing His workings and communication to you, TODAY? Many times it is in the subtle, quiet things of life.
If you haven't read the Lazarus Life, by Stephen Smith I would highly recommend it! It is an easy read with a powerful message.
The question was posed yesterday. How does God speak to us? The message was simple, straight, and to the point.
1. God speaks through chance encounters. I believe that there are no such things as coincidences, but instead God-incidences. Times when things appear to happen by chance or luck, when really it is all in the master plan. If you are not paying attention you may miss them. Often times we look back in retrospec to realize the grasp of what happened. In our family, we call those moments 'mini miracles'. For a GREAT mini miracle story, check out a post in January of 08, called 'It's a Mini Miracle'. It is a great story about seeing how God works in the VERY small things of life.
2. God speaks to us through scripture. The times that I doubt and wonder what to do, are times that through His Word I am affirmed and given direction. Sometimes a verse will pop in my head or while reading scripture, it will 'jump' off the page. In those moments I KNOW that God is talking directly to me. In order to have God speak to you through scripture, you have to get in the Word. The most effective learning tool for me was to join a scripture based bible study. Not one that followed a book, but one that ONLY used the bible as the study. Books are good, but the absolute TRUTH is the BEST! Bible Study Fellowship was the vehicle that I used for 7 years, until I 'graduated'. I very intentionally and indepthly studied the entire Bible. It is an international organization with studies all around the world. If you click on the web site below, I bet you will find one in your neck of the woods! They also have an amazing children's program. I believe a lot of Madison's faith base came from being involved with BSF! Check it out! www.bsfinternational.org
3. Conversations with other people. Are you paying attention to the conversations you are having every day? There have been times when a friend or even a stranger says something to me that 'just sticks'. Just a few weeks ago when interviewing for an administration position, I was able to spend an incredible hour with a man of faith. Obviously, I am in a very prayerful time of my life as I seek direction on job opportunities and the growth of my Reveal business. I believe that I was meant to have an encounter with him that day. Although we never directly discussed my situation, it was one sentence that he said that reaffirmed the steadfast direction I am pursuing. He said, 'I believe that you are a very gifted person, who knows exactly what your gifts and talents are. I believe that you should embrace those gifts and continue to follow the path in which they are leading you down.' It was in that exact moment that I believe God used him to give me the affirmation I was seeking on the continue pursuit of Reveal. I was called back for a second interview, but I didn't get the job.
4. God speaks to us through circumstances. I believe EVERYTHING happens in life for a reason or a lesson to be learned. Because of our free will, we sometimes don't make the right decisions and those choices lead to results that are negative. We live in a imperfect world, negative things happen like floods, earthquakes, and diseases. Because Adam and Eve ate the apple, things are just messed up. Sometime we suffer as a result of things we have no control over. Other times we suffer as a direct result of a poor choice. No one is immune to suffering, it is part of the journey. But whatever the circumstance, there is always HOPE! Sometimes those lessons are good and sometimes those lessons are painful. But the ABSOLUTE end result will be INCREDIBLE! We just have to continue to walk this journey, enduring the detours and bumps, and gaining insight with the lessons learned along the way. God can lead us through ANYTHING! Had the failing economy not affected us through a recent job loss, I don't believe we would have grown in the incredible ways that we have over the last 2 months. Painful... absolutely! Enriching.... beyond words!
This is a prayer that I wrote that was used at our services yesterday. I hope that it blesses you.
I believe that I am a unique and extraordinary person, created by You my Heavenly Father.
I am created for a life filled with change as You mold, shape, and walk with me through this transformation.
Father forgive me for I know that I have filled my life with busyness, alienating myself from fully experiencing your love.
I have allowed self-rejection to fill my head and heart with the lies. I have sought and gained knowledge of You, yet I remain the same.
Help me to experience that nothing is more important than learning to love others and receive love in return.
Today, I ask that You take my knowledge of Your love and sink it deep into the depth of my heart. I no longer want to be sidelined from true transformation.
Silence my surroundings and thoughts, so I can only hear Your Voice.
Swell my heart with Your love as I accept the invitation to be my authentic self for You and for others.
For You are the one true Voice, who gives me unconditional love, a love that has no end.
Amen
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 1 Kings 19:11 - 12
When God spoke to Elijah, He wasn't in the hurricane, the wind, the earthquake or even the fire. He was in the gentle and quiet whisper.
Sometimes in order to see and hear God communicate with us, we must pray, watch, listen, observe, and truly be aware of His daily presence in our lives. How are you witnessing His workings and communication to you, TODAY? Many times it is in the subtle, quiet things of life.
Shhhh....can you hear that?
Blessings.
Jill
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Project Eat Your Cupboards Bare Has Begun!!!
From the title, you may think we have fallen off the Healthy Lifestyle Wagon. But no that is not it. I tend to agree with Jill a bit about New Year's Resolutions, in that you should have to wait until New Year's to make resolutions. However, I still tend to mentally make a few every year. Like this year, flossing my teeth has made the list (AGAIN!) It makes the list many years. But hey, here I am 25 days into flossing!
And another "resolution" was to eat my cupboards bare. Here is a little confession, I tend to cook out of only the front of my cupboard. What I can see, gets used, the rest just sits in the back and collects dust. So enough with that, I am looking at have in my cupboards and figuring out what meals/snacks/desserts to make from them. We are about a week into it, and so far I haven't had to get overly creative. However, this week, we are having lasagna with a mix of mini lasagna and bow tie pasta. Hey, who ever said you HAD to use lasagna pasta to make lasagna? Right?
What I have learned about myself (okay, maybe I didn't learn it, maybe I just again realized it) is that there are certain products that I must pick up a lot at the grocery store, not realizing that I have about 15 packages/cans already at home. Here they are (1) Tomato sauce, (2) Wide egg noodles (I have four open/unopen packages...but in my defense they are on a very high shelf and I can see unless I am standing on a chair), (3) pudding/jello, and (4)canned soup. I have also learned that some of the items in my cupboard were actually items that I had in my old house!!! Yikes!! Hence, us needing to eat our cupboards (and freezer) bare.
So over the past week we have had some really good stuff that we haven't had for awhile. Like a really yummy and easy recipe for sweet sour chicken (or ribs). Which is the reason I bought Russian dressing oh so long ago! I can see in our not so distant future Farmer's Delight hotdish, tuna cheese buns, and anything that calls for wide egg noodles! {:0) Anyone have a good goulash recipe?
The kids aren't complaining yet, as they are eating a whole lot of jello/pudding for dessert. And of course, rainbow sprinkles are on everying, because I have two bottles of them!
Okay enough about my cupboards! We are all doing fine here in DRSD. Carter and Kevin found a new cat for us yesterday... as in Arctic Cat. It's like 10 years old but in decent shape. So they are wishing for some snow so Carter can practice driving it! Carter had a sleepover this weekend at a friends house in town, and Claire very much enjoyed her "alone" time with us. At present, Kevin is ice fishing... ooooohhh what a surprise! And from his last call, is going to fish a little later because there is a walleye that appears to be taunting him from the icy waters below!
Oh, for anyone out there wondering about Claire for her birthday. Well, she only wants to wear jerseys now. And they HAVE to have a number on them! So when mom and dad tried to get by with a Wal-mart version of a Kansas City Chiefs jersey we were shot down because "IT DOESN'T HAVE A NUMBER ON IT!" So that means we only have one that fits the bill, and it's getting a lot of use! Can you tell she goes to daycare with 9 boys!
Not much else new to report for here. The flu is going around crazy at school and I am disinfecting Carter and myself daily before coming home... so that we don't infest our family. We'll see if we'll be able to keep it at bay. Monday seems to be quickly approaching... so I should better go and get prepared for it.
Hope everyone is doing wonderful!!! Have a super week!
♥julie
And another "resolution" was to eat my cupboards bare. Here is a little confession, I tend to cook out of only the front of my cupboard. What I can see, gets used, the rest just sits in the back and collects dust. So enough with that, I am looking at have in my cupboards and figuring out what meals/snacks/desserts to make from them. We are about a week into it, and so far I haven't had to get overly creative. However, this week, we are having lasagna with a mix of mini lasagna and bow tie pasta. Hey, who ever said you HAD to use lasagna pasta to make lasagna? Right?
What I have learned about myself (okay, maybe I didn't learn it, maybe I just again realized it) is that there are certain products that I must pick up a lot at the grocery store, not realizing that I have about 15 packages/cans already at home. Here they are (1) Tomato sauce, (2) Wide egg noodles (I have four open/unopen packages...but in my defense they are on a very high shelf and I can see unless I am standing on a chair), (3) pudding/jello, and (4)canned soup. I have also learned that some of the items in my cupboard were actually items that I had in my old house!!! Yikes!! Hence, us needing to eat our cupboards (and freezer) bare.
So over the past week we have had some really good stuff that we haven't had for awhile. Like a really yummy and easy recipe for sweet sour chicken (or ribs). Which is the reason I bought Russian dressing oh so long ago! I can see in our not so distant future Farmer's Delight hotdish, tuna cheese buns, and anything that calls for wide egg noodles! {:0) Anyone have a good goulash recipe?
The kids aren't complaining yet, as they are eating a whole lot of jello/pudding for dessert. And of course, rainbow sprinkles are on everying, because I have two bottles of them!
Okay enough about my cupboards! We are all doing fine here in DRSD. Carter and Kevin found a new cat for us yesterday... as in Arctic Cat. It's like 10 years old but in decent shape. So they are wishing for some snow so Carter can practice driving it! Carter had a sleepover this weekend at a friends house in town, and Claire very much enjoyed her "alone" time with us. At present, Kevin is ice fishing... ooooohhh what a surprise! And from his last call, is going to fish a little later because there is a walleye that appears to be taunting him from the icy waters below!
Oh, for anyone out there wondering about Claire for her birthday. Well, she only wants to wear jerseys now. And they HAVE to have a number on them! So when mom and dad tried to get by with a Wal-mart version of a Kansas City Chiefs jersey we were shot down because "IT DOESN'T HAVE A NUMBER ON IT!" So that means we only have one that fits the bill, and it's getting a lot of use! Can you tell she goes to daycare with 9 boys!
Not much else new to report for here. The flu is going around crazy at school and I am disinfecting Carter and myself daily before coming home... so that we don't infest our family. We'll see if we'll be able to keep it at bay. Monday seems to be quickly approaching... so I should better go and get prepared for it.
Hope everyone is doing wonderful!!! Have a super week!
♥julie
Update from Houston
The Freed's have been busy with school, meetings, Hurricane Hoops, and staying warm. It is a chilly one today, but I am pretty sure I will still make it out to try and catch some fish through the ice. Emilee and I have been working on our grad classes since WSU started back up last week. She is working hard on her paper and I am taking a Sports Law class (reminds me why being a laywer never was attracting to me) and a Facilities Planning and Management Class. Sunday looks to be a relaxing day around here with the girls playing all day, taking naps, cleaning up around the house, basically a typical Sunday, with jetting out for some ice fishing in the afternoon. Snow Daze Week at school this week, which means I get to chaperone a dance on Friday night after the BB game, the theme is 80s Night, so that should make for some interesting dress ups. Not going to lie I love some of those classic 80s tunes, so the dance should be kind of fun, too bad none of the students will know who even sang some of the songs. I'll bet for some of you it would bring back alot of memories. I am also getting Duct Taped to the wall for the After Prom Fundraiser, so we will see how that goes. The girls are doing great and are very busy right now. I think next weekend Macin and I are going to do some sledding before our Super Bowl Party at Coach Thompson's house, it has been something we have done the last three years.
Otherwise all is well from SE Minnesota. Kevin is the ice fishing still slow over that way?
Have a great Sunday and week.
Jason, Emilee, Macin, and Hayden
Otherwise all is well from SE Minnesota. Kevin is the ice fishing still slow over that way?
Have a great Sunday and week.
Jason, Emilee, Macin, and Hayden
Saturday, January 24, 2009
A Notch on the Parent Resume
It comes only once a year. I have attended 9 in my life-time, with only one more left to log on my resume of parenthood, the annual elementary SOCK HOP! I will admit that the first few, I was eager to experience it with my 'FIRST' child. I even danced a bit, until I was told I looked stupid. After probably #3 the newness wore off and I came to the realization that I was only there to 'put my time in' as my children were running, dancing, consuming sugar, and socializing with their friends. My only purpose was to provide transportation, 'my mom is here' admission ticket, and $1.00 to purchase a large tube of colored sugar.Imagine if you can, kindergarten through 5th grade with approximately 100 students per grade level, for a grand total of 600 students. With a rough estimation that around 200 are unable to attend due to prior commitments or parents able to weasle out, leaving us with the round number of 400.
Those 400 students are accompanied by younger siblings (not yet of school age) and parents.
Then take those 400 students and provide them with EXTRA LONG pixy sticks for the small PRICE of 50 cents each! Throw in some root beer floats, ring pops, and any other sugar loaded piece of candy invented. Add some glow necklaces (a nice touch), one semi-small elementary school gym, VERY LOUD music in the tune of Celebration, We Are Family, and The Locomotion, plus poodle skirts, cuffed jeans and white t-shirts. Provide limited seating for the parents that are mandated to attend, thus creating a 'standing room ONLY'. Prevent the parents from having any type of civil conversation because the only effective method is screaming to one another due to the LOUD music and the deafening screams of the children.
Enforce a 2 hour maximum time limit and what do you have?400 screaming, sugar laden children dancing and running back and forth between the dance floor and the concession stand. An equal amount of parents, most coming off of a 40+ hour work week lining the perimeter of an elementary school gym. Some leaning in close to catch a few words of a conversation, while others play with their cell phones or check their watch counting the minutes until the mayhem concludes.
On the resume of PARENTHOOD, one must log at least 6 SOCK HOPS in order to receive the SOCK HOP badge of honor!
Next year I will be attending my SOCK HOP graduation ceremony to receive my parental badge of honor for having logged 20 hours of sock hop fun.
This year I looked at Milo and said, 'Wanna do rock, paper, scissors?' Guess who won?
A Notch on the Parent Resume
It comes only once a year. I have attended 9 in my life-time, with only one more left to log on my resume of parenthood, the annual elementary SOCK HOP! I will admit that the first few, I was eager to experience it with my 'FIRST' child. I even danced a bit, until I was told I looked stupid. After probably #3 the newness wore off and I came to the realization that I was only there to 'put my time in' as my children were running, dancing, consuming sugar, and socializing with their friends. My only purpose was to provide transportation, 'my mom is here' admission ticket, and $1.00 to purchase a large tube of colored sugar.Imagine if you can, kindergarten through 5th grade with approximately 100 students per grade level, for a grand total of 600. With a rough estimation that around 200 are unable to attend due to prior commitments or parents able to weasle out, leaving us with the round number of 400.
Those 400 students are accompanied by younger siblings (not yet of school age) and parents.
Then take those 400 students and provide them with EXTRA LONG pixy sticks for the small PRICE of 50 cents each! Throw in some root beer floats, ring pops, and any other sugar loaded piece of candy invented. Add some glow necklaces (a nice touch), one semi-small elementary school gym, VERY LOUD music in the tune of Celebration, We Are Family, and The Locomotion, plus poodle skirts, cuffed jeans and white t-shirts. Provide limited seating for the parents that are mandated to attend, thus creating a 'standing room ONLY'. Prevent the parents from having any type of civil conversation because the only effective method is screaming to one another due to the LOUD music and the deafening screams of the children.
Enforce a 2 hour maximum time limit and what do you have?AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOCK HOP with
400 screaming, sugar laden children dancing and running back and forth between the dance floor and the concession stand. An equal amount of parents, most coming off of a 40+ hour work week lining the perimeter of an elementary school gym. Some leaning in close to catch a few words of a conversation, while others play with their cell phones or check their watch counting the minutes until the mayhem concludes.
On the resume of PARENTHOOD, one must log at least 6 SOCK HOPS in order to receive the SOCK HOP badge of honor!
Next year I will be attending my SOCK HOP graduation ceremony to receive my parental badge of honor for having logged 20 hours of sock hop fun.
This year I looked at Milo and said, 'Wanna do rock, paper, scissors?' Guess who won?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
ANOTHER UPDATE
Okay good news yesterday, however, today Dr. Menezes office called and said that Jenny will need an MRI when we go down at the end of March. He re-evaluated the scan with the radiologist and it appears there is a mass on Jen's pitutuary gland. They assured me it is not
cancer but it needs to be looked and the determination will be whether it will be watched, medicated or surgically removed. We are not going to talk to her at this time and will wait to
visit until closer to the appointment date. Dad and I talked tonight and decided to share this info with you. Love ya Mom
cancer but it needs to be looked and the determination will be whether it will be watched, medicated or surgically removed. We are not going to talk to her at this time and will wait to
visit until closer to the appointment date. Dad and I talked tonight and decided to share this info with you. Love ya Mom
25 Things You May Not Know About Me.
1. I graduated from college to be a nurse and was an RN for 6 years.
2. I am a very poor test taker. I failed my nursing board exam the first time and tried (got caught) cheating on a drivers test once (of which I failed too.)
3. My favorite color vacillates between green and orange. Depends on the day.
4. I LOVE donuts! Could live on them all day, every day!
5. I never drank alcohol in high school. In fact, most Saturday nights were spent watching rented movies with my parents, eating popcorn and jelly beans. A socialite, I was not!
6. I was homecoming queen in high school. That definitely DOESN'T match up to #5.
7. I am not by nature a touchy/feely person, but deep down inside I want to be.
8. I have had 4 surgeries, all on the LEFT side of my body. Foot, Knee, Back, and Arm. My rib cage is larger on my left side than my right. Guess that would make me off kilter!
9. I won 9 high school state championship titles between 1983 and 1987 in track and field and was an All-American in 1992.
10. I have OCD tendencies when it comes to having everything having a place and everything IN it's place.
11. I love, love, love, love.....LOVE...organizing! That is why everything has a place!
12. I absolutely HATE it when people don't RSVP!
13. I could NEVER be a teacher or a childcare provider. I don't have enough patience.
14. I believe everything happens for a reason or a lesson to be learned.
15. My favorite time of the day is going to bed! My least favorite time of the day is getting out of bed! I LOVE my cozy, comfy bed!
16. I wish I could be a professional dancer, like the ones on Dancing With The Stars.
17. I could dance ALL NIGHT at parties. Pretending I am a GREAT dancer. Well, I am NOT half bad! I also wish I could be a really good singer! Again, not 1/2 bad.
18. The longest I can go without hair & make-up products is 7 days. I have tried it!
19. I love buying clothes, sometimes too much! I am an event buyer. If I have an event, date, or trip coming up I love getting a new outfit.
20. A special treat for me is having the house COMPLETELY to myself for a weekend.
21. I love adventures! Going unknown places, experiencing NEW things, creating new ideas, planning trips.
22. I thrive on challenges, especially when there is a reward to achieve.
23. I don't have a lot of friends, but rather a few very close friends.
24. I enjoy cooking things from scratch (bread, cookies and pies).
25. If I had to pick one character trait I admire most in people, it would be integrity.
There you have it. Did you find out something you didn't know? How many did you know?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
A Tribute To Ms. Annie
Little did I know 18 years ago that when one marries into the Japenga family, one MUST be prepared to live INTIMATELY with a dog. I grew up with a dog living on a farm under the strictest notion that DOGS belonged OUTSIDE! Milo on the other hand grew up with a dog sleeping on the pillow next to him in BED. Needless to say through the first 13 years of marriage we were unable to find any sort of middle ground on the subject. We did have our fair share of trials in the form of a dog called Molly and another CRAZY one called Abbey. When both of those dogs were gone, I FIRMLY stated that NEVER AGAIN could or would I do this DOG thing. Then of course came along 2 persistent little girls and Riley not far behind.
The Japengas without a doubt believe that the GREATEST dog made for man kind is an English Springer Spaniel. In my lifetime with this family I have know Freckles, heard stories of Jane, still have Josie come for visits, of course there is Riley and today we heard the sad news that Ms. Annie was laid to rest, Grandpa Gary and MoMo's baby of 14 years.
Ms. Annie came into this world in 1995. We only saw snap shots from Idaho of her first few years of her life, until we visited in 1998. She was kind and gentle with Kennedy and very well-mannered. She loved hunting and fishing with Grandpa Gary and most recently wa
s able to spend sun up to sun down with him, as he retired from teaching. Annie was a loyal and faithful companion and always traveled in tow. One 'fond' memory would be Annie's, FIRST visit to Cedar Rapids to meet Riley. Well on in years and apparently well trained, she proceeded to walk into my home, greet Riley with a growl, run down to the guest bedroom, and PEE right smack dab in the middle of my dry clean ONLY comforter, all within minutes of her arrival! I guess that was her way of saying, 'Merry Christmas'. Future visits proved better bladder control and some ridiculous habits of teaching Riley to howl whenever we returned from being gone for a few hours. She desperately missed her master when they were apart and eagerly awaited his return.
s able to spend sun up to sun down with him, as he retired from teaching. Annie was a loyal and faithful companion and always traveled in tow. One 'fond' memory would be Annie's, FIRST visit to Cedar Rapids to meet Riley. Well on in years and apparently well trained, she proceeded to walk into my home, greet Riley with a growl, run down to the guest bedroom, and PEE right smack dab in the middle of my dry clean ONLY comforter, all within minutes of her arrival! I guess that was her way of saying, 'Merry Christmas'. Future visits proved better bladder control and some ridiculous habits of teaching Riley to howl whenever we returned from being gone for a few hours. She desperately missed her master when they were apart and eagerly awaited his return.Ms. Annie peacefully slept away this afternoon, Wednesday, January 21st, 2009, without a doubt knowing she served her master well.
We have 'A Dog's Prayer' that we keep in our home that I would like to share with you today in honor of her. I think it sums up the TRUE feelings a dog has for her master.
To My Beloved Master,
For no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than this loving heart of mine.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for I should lick your hand between the blows.
Your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ears.
When it is cold and wet, please do take me inside, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements, and I ask no greater glory that the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Though you had no home, I would prefer to follow you through ice and snow, rather than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I can not tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well to romp, play, and do your bidding to walk by your side. To stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And master, when I am very old, if the Great Master sees fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather, take my trusting life gently and I shall leave you, knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was always safest in your hands.
Your Faithful Companion and Servant
As her master sits in sadness tonight grieving the loss of his faithful companion, may he know she rests peacefully having completed her tasks hear on earth. And that one more person in this world now sleeps with a DOG on the pillow next to her and she would NEVER want it any other way! Hugs to Grandpa Gary and Mo-Mo from Cedar Rapids!
P.S. Ms. Annie can rest EXTRA peacefully knowing that I forgive her for the 'bed wetting' episode.
A Tribute To Ms. Annie
Little did I know 18 years ago that when one marries into the Japenga family, one MUST be prepared to live INTIMATELY with a dog. I grew up with a dog living on a farm under the strictest notion that DOGS belonged OUTSIDE! Milo on the other hand grew up with a dog sleeping on the pillow next to him in BED. Needless to say through the first 13 years of marriage we were unable to find any sort of middle ground on the subject. We did have out fair share of trials in the form of a dog called Molly and another CRAZY one called Abbey. When both of those dogs were gone, I had FIRMLY stated that NEVER AGAIN could I do this DOG thing. Then of course came along 2 persistent little girls and Riley not far behind.
The Japengas without a doubt believe that the GREATEST dog made for man kind is an English Spring Spaniel. In my lifetime with this family I have know Freckles, heard stories of Jane, still have Josie come for visits, of course there is Riley and today we heard the sad news that Ms. Annie was laid to rest, Grandpa Gary and MoMo's baby of 14 years.
Ms. Annie came into this world in 1995. We only saw snap shots from Idaho of her first few years of her life, until we visited in 1998. She was kind and gentle with Kennedy and very well-mannered. She loved hunting and fishing with Grandpa Gary and most recently was able to spend sun up to sun down with him, as he retired from teaching. Annie was a loyal and faithful companion and always traveled in tow. One 'fond' memory would be Annie's, FIRST visit to Cedar Rapids to meet Riley. Well on in years and apparently well trained, she proceeded to walk into my home, greet Riley with a growl, and run down to the guest bedroom and PEE right smack dab in the middle of my dry clean ONLY comforter, all within minutes of her arrival! I guess that was her way of saying, 'Merry Christmas'. Future visits proved better bladder control and some ridiculous habits of teaching Riley to howl like the moon whenever we returned from being gone for a few hours. She desperately missed her master when they were apart and eagerly awaited his return.
s able to spend sun up to sun down with him, as he retired from teaching. Annie was a loyal and faithful companion and always traveled in tow. One 'fond' memory would be Annie's, FIRST visit to Cedar Rapids to meet Riley. Well on in years and apparently well trained, she proceeded to walk into my home, greet Riley with a growl, and run down to the guest bedroom and PEE right smack dab in the middle of my dry clean ONLY comforter, all within minutes of her arrival! I guess that was her way of saying, 'Merry Christmas'. Future visits proved better bladder control and some ridiculous habits of teaching Riley to howl like the moon whenever we returned from being gone for a few hours. She desperately missed her master when they were apart and eagerly awaited his return.Ms. Annie peacefully slept away this afternoon, Wednesday, January 21st, 2009, without a doubt knowing she served her master well.
We have 'A Dog's Prayer' that we keep in our home that I would like to share with you today in honor of her. I think it sums up the TRUE feelings a dog has for her master.
To My Beloved Master,
For no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than this loving heart of mine.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for I should lick your hand between the blows.
Your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ears.
When it is cold and wet, please do take me inside, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements, and I ask no greater glory that the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Though you had no home, I would prefer to follow you through ice and snow, rather than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I can not tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well to romp, play, and do your bidding to walk by your side. To stand ready, willing, and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.
And master, when I am very old, if the Great Master sees fit to deprive me of my health, do not turn me away from you. Rather, take my trusting life gently and I shall leave you, knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was always safest in your hands.
Your Faithful Companion and Servant
And as her master sits in sadness tonight grieving the loss of his faithful companion, may he know she rest peacefully having completed her tasks hear on earth. And that one more person in this world now sleeps with a DOG resting on the pillow next to her and she would NEVER want it any other way! Hugs to Grandpa Gary and Mo-Mo from Cedar Rapids!
P.S. Ms. Annie can rest EXTRA peacefully knowing that I forgive her for the 'wet bed' episode.
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