Today was a good day.

We started out by going to Sunday School Soul-winning. Not too long after that we went to my brother and sister in law's house for the birthday party. Joseph is 4 and Matthew is 2.

Pinata fun. Two of them, one for each boy. More candy then anyone should have as well.
A lots of cakes!! Joseph's, Matthew's and mine. There was one more for Stacey's sister's anniversary too.
My sister, Nancy, brought me these beautiful flowers.

Lastly, my cake. Yes, there really are 40 candles!

I saw part of my gift this morning. It is a plant and that is hard to wrap and not easy to hide. This evening I got to open a second one. Jim got me a CD player for the bedroom. I have really missed not having one since we changed the room. The one he got is really nice.

I had a really nice birthday. Thanks to everyone that made it special.

Spoiled. Me? Yes!

I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing today has been!

Beth and I headed out the door about 5 'til 10 for Julie's house. When we arrived Julie greeted us at the door and the house had: decorations for a party, the smell of cinnamon rolls baking, two friends sitting there waiting for me. As I sat down one more friend would come in the house and then another. It was such a blessing to see all you ladies come out just for my birthday!

Of course we had food... it is us after all. Everyone (except me) brought something. We had cinnamon rolls, 2 kinds: reg and ones with chocolate.... now that was Heaven on earth!, yummy egg casserole, sausage, hash brown potatoes, fruit, and blueberry muffins. Everything was so good!

After we ate I got lots of gifts. As I opened them, the person who gave it to me said something nice about me. This was SO encouraging and such a blessing....I am sure my head got a little bigger. I amazed, although I shouldn't be because my friends are wonderful, at all their generosity.

As I was sitting at my table just a few minutes ago, I went through my cards and gifts again and thanked God for such a blessing. I was just poured out a blessing today from God. With tears in my eyes I thanked Him for all of you. Thank you Julie for opening your home, cooking and organizing to celebrate my birthday. Thank you all for your kindness and love. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends.

I love you all!!

Aldi

I LOVE IT!!!

As you know(or should know), Aldi opened today! It was crazy! We got there about 9:05 and it was a mad house as you would expect, but it could have been a lot worse! I think it was exciting... only because I left my house a few minutes before that and I was there... and I left there and was home in a few minutes. I really love it being so close to home. I was surprised to see so many "suits" there... you know, the higher ups in the company... I think there were at least 15, perhaps more.

Okay... so that's about all for now I just had to tell you how great it was!

The Zoo

If you read Jayne's blog.. you know what I did yesterday. Here are some pictures. It was a really good day. The Sting Ray Bay was awesome!! I highly recommend going Brookfield Zoo and checking them out if you are able.

Last night Julie came over to help me organize... well, actually she does it and I help her. Yep, I will tell you the same thing as before: Julie is a blessing! She is such a big help, she just is nice to be around, and makes things look so nice with just changing them around. Thanks Julie!!

So Much To Tell

Wow... today has been wonderful.

It started out with Kyle's doctor appointment. He has been release from their care and starting on July 10 (special date just so he can go to camp and not worry about it) he can do anything like a normal 12 year old should!!!

Next, in the mail today I received a package!! It was so exciting... I mean, come on... how often do people get surprise packages in the mail!! And to make it even nicer... it was from my Mom. Apparently, at all our 40th birthdays, my Mom has mailed a beautiful Willow Tree figure of a Mom and Daughter to each girl. I was not even aware of this tradition she started.. oh, it is wonderful! I called my Mom after I opened it and she couldn't believe how fast it got here. She mailed it Friday afternoon, now that is FAST. So, she said, Did you open it? My reply, OF COURSE!!! She said, well did you at least save the card until Saturday? NOPE! I opened it all! I told her I was so excited I just had to do it! :)

Then, we went to the library to sign up for the kids reading program! This year is different, they are going by minutes read rather than how many books they have read. Also, they had a magician there and he was very good. He did the usual things you would expect, but he really promotes just being nice to people. I don't really care for magicians but, he was very entertaining.

Finally, we will be having our "Family Night"... don't have a clue what we are doing, but it doesn't really matter. We all just love to stop and spend time with each other.

Saturdays Fly By

Today Jim, Kyle, and I went door knocking with the church. After we that, Jim did some work for the church and Kyle and I just spent time together. Beth was playing with Page and Georgia. When we stopped by to pick Beth up, we got to see the chicks and ducks that they are hatching. Okay, I have to say it was interesting... and gross.... and no, I have NO plans to do this with my kids! There are people in this world that think that stuff is fun (aka, Cheryl) and those that don't EVER want to do something like that (aka, me). I think I may just have to send the kids over every few days to visit. I know, as a home schooling mom, I should jump at a chance to do something like this, but lets face it... what are friends for? I mean if you can't use their talents... what a waste!!! I prefer to think of my not having ANY desire to hatch eggs as a chance to let Cheryl express herself, share her love of animals with others, and teach. Ya know, I would almost have to push this issue and say... I sure am nice to let my kids hang out with Ms. Cheryl!!!

Did that sound convincing??? I sure hope so, because I don't ever plan on hatching eggs! :)



Okay, back to the rest of today. We got to visit with Gus, Jinger, and Natalie. Guess what? She is PREGNANT!!! Yeah! She is due in September. Please keep her in your prayers as she has had difficulties in the past.

After all that, we had dinner, I worked on my announcements for Birthday and Anniversary, and worked on a site for my family for birthday reminders and stuff like that. I just tucked Beth into bed and I am off to do the dishes so I can call it a night myself.

Hope everyone had a blessed day!!

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

Your Love Life is Like Casablanca

"Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time." For you, love is never finished. If you've loved someone once, you'll always love them. You're an old fashioned romantic... even if your relationships don't end up as romantic as you'd like. Your love style: Traditional and understated Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Complicated and ambiguous

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

I got this from Kina's page, so I thought I would try it. Just as Kina said with her movie; I would not have picked this one. Complicated and ambiguous??? What's up with that!! How about simple and last forever.....

Church and Dinner

Tonight was fun!!

Bro. Jeff did an awesome job with his testimony and preaching and it was very encouraging. Of course, it was fun to see Amy again, and get to meet all their kids. Two of their children are close to Kyle and Beth's ages so they thought that was great. After service we stopped by a pizza place and brought home pizza to spend time with this delightful family. It was a short visit, but it was a blessing.

Today was one of those days that I just didn't want to get moving... and I didn't for a long time. I actually got out of bed... get this.... at 10:30!!! Can you believe that? I couldn't! I could not tell you when I slept that long!!

Beth and I finally played the rest of our Pay Day game... I won. Kyle and I watched a movie. Julie called to see if she could still come over, which of course I said YES!!!

Julie and I worked on the kitchen and this little space we have called the nook (because that is what someone called it 9 years ago when we were getting this place and it stuck). My kitchen, well, it is starting to look more like a kitchen. We got some things off the counters, cleared the top of the pantry and refrigerator, and removed extra school and paper stuff out.

I just love working with Julie! She makes cleaning fun... I know can you believe I said that?! She just makes so much sense with what she is doing and what she is telling me... it is just great. It is amazing to me how clutter just seems to happen.

As I told Julie, I gave about 6 bags and a big box to AmVets, and it still seems like the stuff never goes away. God has really been working on my to get my house organized, not that I wasn't trying before, but I just didn't want to give up anything. And quite truthfully, I just didn't know where to start.

So often we find our self worth in what we have, but at the same time, all that stuff is making us crazy. I think that is the realization I have come to recently.
I want my life to make sense. I want my home to be neat. I want my home to be peaceful. I want to have a clean house. I want to teach my children that you don't need stuff to make you happy. I want it to be okay if someone stops by.

And what DON'T I want?
I don't want clutter. I don't want chaos. I don't want to make excuses for my mess. I don't want to train mess-makers. I don't want to always be searching for something. I don't want to fail at being a keeper at home.

So, here is the plan, one step at a time, one room at a time, make the room what it should be. I can tell you this, I have great peace with the changes we have made already. It is motivating me to keep going and it is so much better to have a friend to help.

Thanks Julie. I really appreciate your time, thoughts and the work!!

A Sweet Friend

Today was the 20th anniversary of my Dad's death; needless to say, I was a little sad. I think about my Dad often, but with Father's Day yesterday, this being the 20th anniversary, and thinking about the fact I have lived half my life without him and what he hasn't been here for, I had a harder time dealing with it.

But the bright spot in my day was Kina. I stopped by the church today and Kina and I had a little chat. We didn't talk about anything spectacular nor did we talk about my Dad but for a moment. I can't really explain it but after I left my spirit was lighter. Perhaps it is her sweet innocence. Perhaps it is her friendly nature. Perhaps it is because she just shows God in her life. Whatever it was, it made a great big improvement in my day... and I am sure she doesn't even know it.

So, THANKS Kina for being a sweet, godly young lady. It is always a pleasure to talk to you and you truly lifted me up today.

Father's Day

Today we celebrated Jim. We didn't do anything extremely great, but we enjoyed giving him some things he likes..

We had steak, beef rice and corn on the cob for dinner. We followed that up with cherry cheesecake and yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

We all went in the pool for about an hour also. The kids and I are able to go in the pool often, but it is usually Sunday afternoons that we get to be with Jim.

After all that, we let him open his gifts.

We all had a very nice day and hope that he did too! I am off to bed now!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!!

Saturday Fun

Today Beth and I started out day with having breakfast with Julie and Jayne. It was a wonderful time spent at The Pancake Cafe. Jayne had to make a stop after that, so we took a drive to Crest Hill and stopped at Dollar Tree. We got a couple of "noodles" for the swimming pool. When we got back we quickly wrapped Jim's Father's Day gifts just minutes before he walked in the door. After they got home we went in the pool and had dinner. Since Friday was date night.. and we didn't get to go... Jim and I drove to Baskin Robins/Dunkin Donuts and got a yummy fruit drink for me and an iced coffee for him. It was yet another day at the speed of light... do you think it is because I am getting older or does time just go that fast!

What did we do today....

a lot!

The day started with the boys heading out for the Men's Camping Trip around 5:45 this morning, so I was up about 5:15 making lunches and filling the cooler. Beth woke up a little while later and I tried to get us back to sleep without much luck. I think I was able to get an extra 5 minutes before she was done waiting on me. Therefore, we got up, had breakfast (Life cereal...happy little girl), and then started playing Pay Day. We played for "4 months" and took a break and will finish it tomorrow. Next, we cleaned a few things and I finally found my bathing suit and swim dress!! and we went into the pool for almost 2 hours. It would appear that I forgot to apply the sunscreen to my arms..... so I am a bit red. Beth was completely covered but her cheeks still got red. After my shower we ran a few errands and picked up Camryn from the day care while Tracy was doing her house stuff. We played for seconds at a time with MANY things, had a snack, played outside, went swimming, ate ice cream, had dinner, watched a movie and played some more! After Tracy picked up Cam, Beth and I played parade. We thought about going to the parade in town, but opted out at about 5:30 tonight. I jokingly told her this morning that I could just throw candy at her and pretend I was different people in the parade and it would be just as good.... and ya know what... she said that would be okay!! (that was one of our stops today... to get candy). So Beth had candy and I acted very silly and was many different "people". I just finished the dishes and we are heading off to bed soon. Here are a couple pictures from the day.

And On To The Front Porch

Today Jim and I painted the front porch; it is the same color as the back deck. The kids and I ran errands this evening, read our Bible, and I am just about to get the items from the store put away. Today has been so busy; I can't believe it is as late as it is. I am looking forward to going to bed in my beautiful bedroom!

The Most Wonderful Lady

Tonight Julie came over to help me . We brought my Grandfather's wardrobe into and the living room and moved the furniture around and it looks GREAT!! It the change is amazing! The room is just nice, open, more friendly.... can you tell I like it? After that we worked on the dining room.... moved lots of stuff out and moved a few piece of furniture around and changed where things we located.... and Julie is just amazing! I can't get over how she just looks at something and sees what it should be like. And since we needed to do something with an item (or two) from the dinning room, she re-arranged the furniture in the enclosed porch as well. I tried this a few times and it looked nothing like Julie can do. She has such a gift!

THANK YOU JULIE for working so hard for me and my family. Everything looks wonderful! I truly appreciate your help; you are such a blessing to me.

The Bench

Well, here it is. This is the bench Jim started working on yesterday.

The Bedroom

So... I still have to tell you about yesterday....

We left home about 3:30 and went to Hobo's, Big Lots, and Hobby Lobby. The first two had nothing (except I did get a really neat dog food holder for 6.00) and at Hobby Lobby we got a candle holder, a box (for Jim's breathing machine), and a tray for my toiletries. I don't really know about the tray yet; I may paint it or keep looking for something different. I think I would like a mirror tray with metal edging.

Our next stop was Michael's and it was great!! We got a couple picture frames, a candle holder, fake plants, "suitcases", a bench, and a print. All but one item was on sale! The next stop was to Menards where we got blinds, stain for the bench, and a large mirror.

Last on our list was Wal-Mart for pillows and shams. We found everything on our list except the hamper... which is not an easy item to find if you have something in particular mind... and I do.


After all the stores, we went out for a steak dinner. We were so hungry by this point we talked little and ate a lot. :)


We got home about 10:30 and after unloading the van, we started putting things up in the room. Of course, it looks WONDERFUL! Jim finished some more things today and put the bench together tonight so we only have to sand and stain the bench and we can officially be COMPLETE


Here are the pictures!!

before

after

I love my new bedroom!! It turned out better than I thought it would.

Thanks Jim for doing ALL the work to make our bedroom special. I am so grateful to a husband that is willing to do so much work to change a room just for ME.

Our Anniversary

Today we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We shopped 'til we dropped and then had dinner out. It was wonderful.... I will tell you more later.

Shopping and Dinner

Today was a day full of shopping. That sounds like it would be a great thing except when Jim and I went looking for things for the bedroom we didn't find anything that we really liked, except maybe a mirror (but we didn't purchase it).

After our much running around we went out for dinner. We had a really great time and talked about our anniversary tomorrow, when we met, and other such things. It is hard to believe where the Lord has led us in our marriage!! The nice thing is, since tomorrow is our anniversary, we are going to go out again... so I get double-spoiled this weekend!!

Today I had a wonderful lunch with friends at an adorable tea house. The food was good and the company was even better. We got to talk about so many things.. but one thing got me motivated to get busy cleaning up. After I got home the kids and I started working on the basement. Our basement is unfinished and a catch all for anything we don't know what to do with or anything that needs to be put somewhere other than upstairs as we have no storage. Well we spent about 2 hours just going through papers, boxes, and just plain organizing. It was so wonderful to get some stuff accomplished... and it is garbage night! After we did that, the kids went in the pool for a little while as I did some reading. Oh, if everyday could be so fun and productive!!

Kyle's Doctor Appointment

Today we had to go to the doctor for Kyle's collar bone. He unfortunately still cannot be an active 12 year old boy. He has the sling off and he is excited he has his arm free. We will go back to the doctor in 3 weeks and hopefully, God willing, he will be able to go back to normal activities then.

The Bedroom Update

The carpet is installed!!!

Today Mr. Jim and his co-worker installed the carpet for our bedroom. THANK YOU! It, of course, looks great! Jim got home earlier than usual (because he went into work at 0'dark 30!!) and we got the water bed back up and filled... now we just have to have the heater do its thing and get the bedding on. So far we only have the dresser and chest back in the room. I don't really know what is going to go back and what will make its way to the garbage or if it will end up someplace else. I love my Grandfather's "wardrobe" as my Mom calls it. It certainly isn't a fancy piece, nor is it in the best of condition... but it is something my Mom remembers from her childhood, so I like it.... the problem... where should it go?? I do like it out of the bedroom....

Anyway, I still don't have pictures... well, I do but you can't see them yet :) I will do a before and after post when everything is done. I don't know exactly when that will be as I still need to find some blinds and a few accessories would be nice too! As I have told you before: I will keep you updated!

Getting Ready

After church tonight we emptied out our bedroom. It was lots of work taking the waterbed apart and the kids rooms have lots of stuff in them. The carpet will be installed tomorrow afternoon. After a long night.... I am off to my air mattress to sleep. I will keep you updated... this is so exciting!!

Clouds

I took these pictures last night and thought you might like to see them.

God is amazing with what He creates!

Psalms 8:3a When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers

A Wonderful Bible Study

It was another great day at Bible study. It was also our last Bible study! :(

There were gifts brought to many people for the work that they did during this year, and it was a real blessing to be part of a time of encouragement to those that served.

It has been such a great experience and encouragement to me over the past 5 years. It really seems like yesterday when there were just a few of us gathered in her kitchen, and it just kept growing.

I again want to publicly thank Julie for the wonderful job she has done with Bible study. Thank you SO MUCH for all the labor you put into this so that I could grow as a Christian. The impact of your Bible study has been great in my life, including my husband and children.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU