We had an awesome weekend. It was jam packed, but so enjoyable!
Eli tied his soccer game Friday night and then we went with friends to the last half of the high school football game. They lost, but it was fun. I hadn't been to a high school football game since I was in high school I think, so it's been awhile! Loved that the boys saw people they knew and we did too. After nine years of living here, we really feel like we have a solid place in the community, and I love that feeling of belonging!
Saturday brought three soccer games, and I got to go to all of them. Didn't get to stay for all of Eli's but he played the whole time I was there. Turns out Jesse and Eli won and Simon lost. They had Simon in for goalie and he forgot he could pick up the ball. He tried to kick the ball out of the goal and that wasn't as effective as picking it up, but he did well.
And since the sun came out, I have further solidified my look of a raccoon because of sunburn while wearing sunglasses. Such is my life I guess. I need to carry a little bottle of sunscreen in my purse, that may be my only saving grace!
Between games I got a text from my girlfriend that she finally got her husband from the airbase, he's fresh from Afghanistan. So thankful!
Then we had one of the best weddings we've ever had. The parents of the bride are just the nicest people. So kind. I want to grow up and be like them. Days like that make it worthwhile. Makes up for a couple of others we've had this year.
Sunday was so fun! Our friend John's Welcome Home party was Sunday and I had offered to do all the food so Katie wouldn't have to worry about it. I've spent the last two weeks organizing food and people and resources for the party, and I have to say, it really went off without a hitch. Our small group worked the entire party so John and Katie could mingle with their guests. It was great to see them back together, and am so praying for a smooth transition for them!
To prep for the party our small group came to our house after church and helped me finish making pico and guac-I used 16 avocados, so you have an idea of how much cutting and chopping was going on! One of the families brought pizza for lunch so we ate and then loaded up four vehicles and set up for the party. The weather was perfect for the party and everyone had a wonderful time. We worked like a well oiled machine.
We stayed until the end and cleaned up and hauled our stuff out of there. The boys played hard ALL DAY with friends from church and made some new friends too. They were some tired boys when we got home.
And at the end of the day I got to fall in bed with my husband and snuggle in this beautiful fall weather we are having.
Perfect weekend.
Showing posts with label Thankful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thankful. Show all posts
Monday, September 17, 2012
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Anniversary
Eleven years. That's kind of a long time, but not nearly long enough if you ask me. I think of all of the things left that I want to experience with Tim and it's still a lot. We are doing a lot better at doing the things we want to do and not just letting life happen and pass by. It's making for lots of good memories. I don't want to look back and say why didn't we DO some things during those years? We have a lot of years left and I'm excited about them and all of the fun and excitement they will bring. And work, Tim likes to work.
We're an odd pair, Tim and I. We work together so well, but we still can't figure out how we ever ended up together, an oddity to be sure. But man is it fun!
Eleven years. They've been good. I'm thankful, so very thankful!
Photo credit: Eli, 8 years old.
We're an odd pair, Tim and I. We work together so well, but we still can't figure out how we ever ended up together, an oddity to be sure. But man is it fun!
Eleven years. They've been good. I'm thankful, so very thankful!
Photo credit: Eli, 8 years old.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Another milestone
Another year, another milestone. Fourteen years.
Fourteen more years with my mom and my two sisters than could have been. And I'm thankful.
My boys know their Grandma and their aunts and love them to pieces. And I'm thankful.
I'm a sister-in-law and an aunt myself now. And I'm thankful.
I have a sister to talk with about raising up our boys. And I'm thankful.
I have a sister to talk photography with. And I'm thankful.
Here's hoping for many more milestones and many more years.
Fourteen more years with my mom and my two sisters than could have been. And I'm thankful.
My boys know their Grandma and their aunts and love them to pieces. And I'm thankful.
I'm a sister-in-law and an aunt myself now. And I'm thankful.
I have a sister to talk with about raising up our boys. And I'm thankful.
I have a sister to talk photography with. And I'm thankful.
Here's hoping for many more milestones and many more years.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans Day
Remember it's Veteran's Day today.
Thank a vet for all they have done to keep us safe and able to live a privileged life here in these great United States of America.
A special thank you to my Uncle who is serving in the Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB, my Marine nephew who is currently stationed in Japan-but is home for a month yay! As well as to my father-in-law who served in the Navy, my brother-in-law who served in the Air Force, my cousin who served as a Marine and another uncle who served in the Navy.
Thank you!
Thank a vet for all they have done to keep us safe and able to live a privileged life here in these great United States of America.
A special thank you to my Uncle who is serving in the Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB, my Marine nephew who is currently stationed in Japan-but is home for a month yay! As well as to my father-in-law who served in the Navy, my brother-in-law who served in the Air Force, my cousin who served as a Marine and another uncle who served in the Navy.
Thank you!
Friday, October 02, 2009
Lead
Well, we got the results of Jesse's blood draw. He still has lead in his blood, but it went down three "somethings," which puts us in the "No lead is good, but it's minor and we'll test again in two years" camp, and I'm fine with that! He was at the highest you could be without having a cause for concern with his first test (10), so now he's back down at a more acceptable number (7).
Thanks for your prayers! We're going to continue to give him (and the other boys) the algae vitamins to help flush the lead, as well as other toxins, out of their systems for quite some time.
Our doctor doesn't seem concerned by the level at all, so hopefully the state will stay off our case while we are working to get the lead out of his system.
It appears all is well, or at least on the road there!
Thanks for your prayers! We're going to continue to give him (and the other boys) the algae vitamins to help flush the lead, as well as other toxins, out of their systems for quite some time.
Our doctor doesn't seem concerned by the level at all, so hopefully the state will stay off our case while we are working to get the lead out of his system.
It appears all is well, or at least on the road there!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remember
Patriot Day is today. I can't really say "Happy Patriot Day," that just doesn't sound right.
But I will say thanks to all the military folks I know for protecting us and keeping us safe. We don't say thanks often enough!
I remember that day like it was last week and not eight years ago. Some things stay vivid in my mind: September 11, my wedding day, the births of my boys, my family's accident. Other things fade, but my memories remain of that fateful day eight years ago.
The grief I felt for those lost and who lost someone is still tight in my chest and throat. I'm still selfishly thankful it wasn't my family lost that day. But then again it was my family-my American family, and that's why I won't forget. That's why I take this day to remember and to teach my boys to honor those heros, both fallen and surviving.
We will not forget!
But I will say thanks to all the military folks I know for protecting us and keeping us safe. We don't say thanks often enough!
I remember that day like it was last week and not eight years ago. Some things stay vivid in my mind: September 11, my wedding day, the births of my boys, my family's accident. Other things fade, but my memories remain of that fateful day eight years ago.
The grief I felt for those lost and who lost someone is still tight in my chest and throat. I'm still selfishly thankful it wasn't my family lost that day. But then again it was my family-my American family, and that's why I won't forget. That's why I take this day to remember and to teach my boys to honor those heros, both fallen and surviving.
We will not forget!
Friday, May 08, 2009
To Cook
I guess you know you're a real mom when your own grandma gives you a mothers day gift, and it's a food carrier for you to take to church carry-ins and family functions. Yep, a real mom who cooks and bakes and takes care of her family.
The gift is significant to me. My mom's mom is a wonderful baker and cook. Sadly that gene skipped my own mom, the queen of bland, but thankfully is emerging in my own kitchen. It turns out I love to cook and eat. Something I didn't know for a long time, and have not embraced until the last couple of years.
I feel that as the wife and mother of our family it's my job to keep them fed, and well fed. I don't mean on junk, I mean on home-cooked nutritious food that will help them grow into strong men. You know, all the food groups, fresh food, that kind of thing.
When my grandma and I have a chance to actually talk we end up talking about food. Usually we talk about what new dishes I've been trying and then she gives me tips on things to try to make it faster or easier for me. She never worked while raising her six children, so she doesn't know what that's like, but she knows what it's like to want to fill up your family with good food and not want to take all day about it.
It's so interesting to me because when I was growing up my mom always cooked dinner for us, and we ate and were healthy, but it wasn't a part of the day to look forward to. We ate because we had to. It interrupted the other more "important" things we were doing. I remember thinking how much time was wasted eating. So sad!
Then I married a man who loves to eat. The actual eating, the savoring, the company, the event, all of it. It was hard for us to be on the same page with dinner and food in the beginning.
Fast forward to now. I love to make restaurant quality dinners and present them to Tim for him to gobble up and love. I strive to hear the boys say, one after the other, "Thanks for making what I like Mom!" It's my goal. I love to make it an event, to entertain. When I hit on a success I think of what I can do to make it better the next time to round out the experience. It turns out we are very like my Grandma and Grandpa, in that regard and I'm good with that. For them, my Grandpa especially, life was a production.
So for that same Grandma who made mashed potatoes (real mashed potatoes not instant like I usually do) EVERY day for my Grandpa, to recognize that I'm a good cook too, and I love it because it makes my husband happy and proud and that it's my job, and give me something that will further that aspect of my life, well, it means a lot.
It's also a passing of the torch on a certain level. The last time she came to our house for a birthday party she brought some Jell-o Jigglers (or Knox Blocks as my family calls them) and then said she'd just leave the dish with me. She has two of that size (9x13) and doesn't cook much anymore and thought I could use it. And she's right, I only have one of that size and sometimes I do need two. As the boys get bigger, I'm sure it will be more often than sometimes I'll need two.
Grandpa and Grandma didn't have a lot of extras but they always had plenty of food. Grandpa worked hard for to provide for his family and Grandma worked just as hard preparing the food that Grandpa provided. They had a passion for each other that I want Tim and I to have when we've been married as long as they were. It's too bad Tim and Grandpa never got to meet-that would have been a hoot!
So now, when I get a "nod" from my Grandma, it means something significant to me. Like I'm heading in the right direction.
The gift is significant to me. My mom's mom is a wonderful baker and cook. Sadly that gene skipped my own mom, the queen of bland, but thankfully is emerging in my own kitchen. It turns out I love to cook and eat. Something I didn't know for a long time, and have not embraced until the last couple of years.
I feel that as the wife and mother of our family it's my job to keep them fed, and well fed. I don't mean on junk, I mean on home-cooked nutritious food that will help them grow into strong men. You know, all the food groups, fresh food, that kind of thing.
When my grandma and I have a chance to actually talk we end up talking about food. Usually we talk about what new dishes I've been trying and then she gives me tips on things to try to make it faster or easier for me. She never worked while raising her six children, so she doesn't know what that's like, but she knows what it's like to want to fill up your family with good food and not want to take all day about it.
It's so interesting to me because when I was growing up my mom always cooked dinner for us, and we ate and were healthy, but it wasn't a part of the day to look forward to. We ate because we had to. It interrupted the other more "important" things we were doing. I remember thinking how much time was wasted eating. So sad!
Then I married a man who loves to eat. The actual eating, the savoring, the company, the event, all of it. It was hard for us to be on the same page with dinner and food in the beginning.
Fast forward to now. I love to make restaurant quality dinners and present them to Tim for him to gobble up and love. I strive to hear the boys say, one after the other, "Thanks for making what I like Mom!" It's my goal. I love to make it an event, to entertain. When I hit on a success I think of what I can do to make it better the next time to round out the experience. It turns out we are very like my Grandma and Grandpa, in that regard and I'm good with that. For them, my Grandpa especially, life was a production.
So for that same Grandma who made mashed potatoes (real mashed potatoes not instant like I usually do) EVERY day for my Grandpa, to recognize that I'm a good cook too, and I love it because it makes my husband happy and proud and that it's my job, and give me something that will further that aspect of my life, well, it means a lot.
It's also a passing of the torch on a certain level. The last time she came to our house for a birthday party she brought some Jell-o Jigglers (or Knox Blocks as my family calls them) and then said she'd just leave the dish with me. She has two of that size (9x13) and doesn't cook much anymore and thought I could use it. And she's right, I only have one of that size and sometimes I do need two. As the boys get bigger, I'm sure it will be more often than sometimes I'll need two.
Grandpa and Grandma didn't have a lot of extras but they always had plenty of food. Grandpa worked hard for to provide for his family and Grandma worked just as hard preparing the food that Grandpa provided. They had a passion for each other that I want Tim and I to have when we've been married as long as they were. It's too bad Tim and Grandpa never got to meet-that would have been a hoot!
So now, when I get a "nod" from my Grandma, it means something significant to me. Like I'm heading in the right direction.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A not so everyday story, part II
Click to read A not so everyday story part I
Apparently, in his haste he had left the key in the "on" position and it had worn down the battery. They pulled up beside us in the grass and gave us a jump. It's a good thing I keep cables in the car!
We thanked them and paid them for the gas but they would only take $10 even though the gas was $11 and they had to buy a gas can. They were God's helpers that day I tell you! At that point we figured we were good to go, once we filled up with gas and got caffeine for Tim and me. I popped in a movie for the boys and everyone was happy.
When the movie was over it was bedtime so I got the boys snuggled in, but Jesse kept crying and fussing and was keeping the other boys awake. I turned around and sang to him, patted him, etc. and after a while he went to sleep. AGAIN when I turned around I can see that we've missed exit to get off the interstate. I pulled out one of our maps and found an alternate route that we had taken at some point in the past. It wasn't going to be quite as fast, but it was fine, it would just put us a little farther behind.
With all the caffeine we were drinking, Tim and I knew we wouldn't make it the rest of the way home without needing to stop so we made a plan to stop on a desolate place on the road and just go. Tim didn't want me to have to do that but I didn't want to go to a gas station because the lights would wake up Jesse and while I was keeping my cool so far, I knew if I had to put him back to sleep again while I was pretty tired I would get too frustrated so I opted to just pull over. And so we did. I got back in and waited on Tim. And waited. I was starting to get a little worried.
When he got back in he said, "We have a problem. The trailer broke."
"What do you mean broke?"
"Well, you know how he said he wrecked the trailer last week? (nod) When they fixed it, I don't think they fixed all of the places so one of the places they did fix on the frame couldn't take the stress and it broke so now we only have one place that's holding it all together."
"So what does that mean? Can we still drive it?" I'm thinking, "Really? What is this Murphy's Law in action?"
"Well, I think it broke a while back so I guess it's doing okay. It makes me nervous though so I just want to take it extra slow the rest of the way home."
"Well, okay, that's better than having to leave it or something."
"I'm going to be watching the trailer," he says as he is adjusting his side mirror to be able to see it better, "and I want you to watch for bridges so I can slow down for them."
"Okay." And off we went. As it turns out, it's really hard to tell when bridges are coming up in the dark on an unfamiliar road. I am not a very good bridge lookout, but I stayed awake, talked to Tim, kept him awake and pumped full of caffeine.
We stopped three more times where there were street lights so Tim could check the welds to make sure they were holding and they were, so we kept progressing slowly. When we started to get back in our area there was about a 10 mile section that was really rough road and lots of construction that scared us to pieces, but we made it through. At the end of that stretch we stopped for gas, partly because we were paranoid of running out again, partly because Tim wanted to check the trailer again, and partly because I think we needed to decompress of the stress of those 10 miles.
From there we made it home, at about 2:45 am. Only three hours longer than it took us to get there. But we made it home safe and with the trailer full of our bushes. Be thankful in all things, right?
I put the boys to bed and went to bed at 3:15 while Tim was still unloading the plants and watering them. After all the trouble it was to bring them home we sure don't want them to die. I wanted to go help Tim so he could get to bed sooner, but I had to be at work at 8:00 and I needed to get some sleep and Tim had the week off so I knew he could nap if he needed to.
At about 4:00 Jesse woke up crying and I heard his pacifier drop to the floor so I got up and gave that to him and Tim still wasn't in bed. I felt bad he was still working, but went back to bed.
In the morning Tim said he was turning off lights downstairs when he heard me get up with Jesse and he came straight upstairs but I was back to sleep by the time he made it to our bedroom. Guess I was a little tired!
We made it through the next day fine, we were all tired though. The following morning after that Tim noticed the SUV's oil light was on and was leaking oil. He made an appointment to take that in later in the week--I'm just glad that didn't start on our trip home!
Now when I tell people the story they just laugh and laugh :)
Apparently, in his haste he had left the key in the "on" position and it had worn down the battery. They pulled up beside us in the grass and gave us a jump. It's a good thing I keep cables in the car!
We thanked them and paid them for the gas but they would only take $10 even though the gas was $11 and they had to buy a gas can. They were God's helpers that day I tell you! At that point we figured we were good to go, once we filled up with gas and got caffeine for Tim and me. I popped in a movie for the boys and everyone was happy.
When the movie was over it was bedtime so I got the boys snuggled in, but Jesse kept crying and fussing and was keeping the other boys awake. I turned around and sang to him, patted him, etc. and after a while he went to sleep. AGAIN when I turned around I can see that we've missed exit to get off the interstate. I pulled out one of our maps and found an alternate route that we had taken at some point in the past. It wasn't going to be quite as fast, but it was fine, it would just put us a little farther behind.
With all the caffeine we were drinking, Tim and I knew we wouldn't make it the rest of the way home without needing to stop so we made a plan to stop on a desolate place on the road and just go. Tim didn't want me to have to do that but I didn't want to go to a gas station because the lights would wake up Jesse and while I was keeping my cool so far, I knew if I had to put him back to sleep again while I was pretty tired I would get too frustrated so I opted to just pull over. And so we did. I got back in and waited on Tim. And waited. I was starting to get a little worried.
When he got back in he said, "We have a problem. The trailer broke."
"What do you mean broke?"
"Well, you know how he said he wrecked the trailer last week? (nod) When they fixed it, I don't think they fixed all of the places so one of the places they did fix on the frame couldn't take the stress and it broke so now we only have one place that's holding it all together."
"So what does that mean? Can we still drive it?" I'm thinking, "Really? What is this Murphy's Law in action?"
"Well, I think it broke a while back so I guess it's doing okay. It makes me nervous though so I just want to take it extra slow the rest of the way home."
"Well, okay, that's better than having to leave it or something."
"I'm going to be watching the trailer," he says as he is adjusting his side mirror to be able to see it better, "and I want you to watch for bridges so I can slow down for them."
"Okay." And off we went. As it turns out, it's really hard to tell when bridges are coming up in the dark on an unfamiliar road. I am not a very good bridge lookout, but I stayed awake, talked to Tim, kept him awake and pumped full of caffeine.
We stopped three more times where there were street lights so Tim could check the welds to make sure they were holding and they were, so we kept progressing slowly. When we started to get back in our area there was about a 10 mile section that was really rough road and lots of construction that scared us to pieces, but we made it through. At the end of that stretch we stopped for gas, partly because we were paranoid of running out again, partly because Tim wanted to check the trailer again, and partly because I think we needed to decompress of the stress of those 10 miles.
From there we made it home, at about 2:45 am. Only three hours longer than it took us to get there. But we made it home safe and with the trailer full of our bushes. Be thankful in all things, right?
I put the boys to bed and went to bed at 3:15 while Tim was still unloading the plants and watering them. After all the trouble it was to bring them home we sure don't want them to die. I wanted to go help Tim so he could get to bed sooner, but I had to be at work at 8:00 and I needed to get some sleep and Tim had the week off so I knew he could nap if he needed to.
At about 4:00 Jesse woke up crying and I heard his pacifier drop to the floor so I got up and gave that to him and Tim still wasn't in bed. I felt bad he was still working, but went back to bed.
In the morning Tim said he was turning off lights downstairs when he heard me get up with Jesse and he came straight upstairs but I was back to sleep by the time he made it to our bedroom. Guess I was a little tired!
We made it through the next day fine, we were all tired though. The following morning after that Tim noticed the SUV's oil light was on and was leaking oil. He made an appointment to take that in later in the week--I'm just glad that didn't start on our trip home!
Now when I tell people the story they just laugh and laugh :)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A not so everyday story
I mostly write about the everyday things that happen around our house and with our family; the things that I want to remember when I'm an old granny. This next story is one that makes a pretty funny story in retrospect, but is not one I'd want to repeat everyday!
We have friends that live about eight hours away and we decided to take a trip to see them that was mutually beneficial. His mom had given him her piano and he could get us a deal on bushes for our landscaping project. We figured we could haul the piano to them and pick up bushes for us to bring home. It was a great idea.
Since Tim's resourceful he borrowed an enclosed trailer from some church friends and loaded up the piano and we trucked it to our friends. We got it there and in the house with no problems. Then we got the bushes we ordered and at the end of the weekend filled up the trailer to head home.
Our battery has been on the fritz and while loading up to go back home we had the back open and needed a jump to even start the journey home. Then it was about “snack time” so I was handing back crackers to the boys, including Jesse, for a while and fiddling with them in general. When they had eaten all the snacks I turned around and settled in. But then it seemed like the road was not familiar so we called our friends to see if we had missed the split of the two interstates, indeed we had so we turned around and headed back. That cost us about half an hour.
We knew we would have to get gas in the near future but wanted to make sure we were safely on the proper highway first. We got back on track and then decided we’d stop for gas soon. We were driving in mountains and were trudging up a particularly long hill when the SUV started to lurch. I looked at Tim and he looked at me and we both said, “What was that?”
I turned around to the boys and said, "All right boys it seems like something's wrong with the car, so let's pray." We all bowed our heads (except Tim) and I prayed for God to watch out over us, protect us, keep us all safe, get us home safely, and let nothing be wrong with the car. We all said "Amen" and then Noah said, "That was a good prayer Mom!"
Something still didn't feel right. I glanced at the gas gauge. It showed low but not on completely empty. It lurched and sputtered again. Tim said, “It sounds like we’re running out of gas.”
“I know, but how can that be?” I ask.
“I don’t know, but I think that’s what it is,” he says as we’ve slowed down to about 30 by this point. I’m worried we are running out of gas so I say, “Well if we are, you’d better get over!”
Tim pulled over and we sputtered on for a little bit and then the car died. He tried starting the car again, just to be certain that’s what it was. Yes. Out of gas. Nice.
Very quickly Tim and I decided to get everyone out of the car and on to the hill beside the interstate and he took off for gas. We didn’t want to split up, but really didn’t have a choice. In retrospect we should have just called 911 to get a trooper or someone to bring us some gas, but we haven’t run out of gas for years and didn’t even think about that until much later.
As Tim was running away and I was settling in with the boys I noticed that Eli was crying. I pulled him close to me and put our foreheads together and told him Daddy was taking care of us by getting gas and I was there with them to keep them safe. It was still daylight and it was a beautiful day so if we had to break down it was pretty good conditions. He was still upset but saw that I was not upset at all and he snapped out of it. He was trying to tell me that he had tried to tell Tim to get gas since he can see the gauges from where he sits, but I told him it was no one’s fault, the gauge must not be working properly.
The only thing we can figure is since we were pulling the trailer it was sucking a lot of gas and since we were on a hill not enough gas could make it to the engine to keep us going. There was enough in the tank since the "low fuel" light never came on but it just couldn't get to the engine. Now if we could have made it to the top of the hill and leveled out, it probably would have been just fine, but it turns out, if the gas can't get to the engine you can't get to the top of the hill/mountain.
Just a few minutes later while we were all just messing around, Eli said, “Here comes Dad.” I looked, and sure enough Tim was running back to us. It had only been a few minutes and he didn’t have any gas so I figured he had found a house and had gotten someone to help us. Relief washed over me.
Turns out, a family saw us sitting on the hill and figured we were just taking a break but then saw Tim on up the road and figured we needed some help. Even though they don't normally stop, they stopped and talked to Tim and told him it was about half an hour by car to the next gas station the direction he was headed. They offered to bring us some gas and told Tim to get back with his family. Which was good since I didn't like sitting there without Tim.
When Tim was back with us it was much better, we got out a blanket and sat on it, I bandaged up Simon and Noah who had fallen down when they went off to pee, I gave Jesse some teething tablets to ease his teething pain, we ate our leftover pizza from lunch and just waited. We had several other people stop to offer to help. God was taking care of us.
After a while they came with our gas and when Tim tried to start it up, it wouldn't start.
To be continued...
We have friends that live about eight hours away and we decided to take a trip to see them that was mutually beneficial. His mom had given him her piano and he could get us a deal on bushes for our landscaping project. We figured we could haul the piano to them and pick up bushes for us to bring home. It was a great idea.
Since Tim's resourceful he borrowed an enclosed trailer from some church friends and loaded up the piano and we trucked it to our friends. We got it there and in the house with no problems. Then we got the bushes we ordered and at the end of the weekend filled up the trailer to head home.
Our battery has been on the fritz and while loading up to go back home we had the back open and needed a jump to even start the journey home. Then it was about “snack time” so I was handing back crackers to the boys, including Jesse, for a while and fiddling with them in general. When they had eaten all the snacks I turned around and settled in. But then it seemed like the road was not familiar so we called our friends to see if we had missed the split of the two interstates, indeed we had so we turned around and headed back. That cost us about half an hour.
We knew we would have to get gas in the near future but wanted to make sure we were safely on the proper highway first. We got back on track and then decided we’d stop for gas soon. We were driving in mountains and were trudging up a particularly long hill when the SUV started to lurch. I looked at Tim and he looked at me and we both said, “What was that?”
I turned around to the boys and said, "All right boys it seems like something's wrong with the car, so let's pray." We all bowed our heads (except Tim) and I prayed for God to watch out over us, protect us, keep us all safe, get us home safely, and let nothing be wrong with the car. We all said "Amen" and then Noah said, "That was a good prayer Mom!"
Something still didn't feel right. I glanced at the gas gauge. It showed low but not on completely empty. It lurched and sputtered again. Tim said, “It sounds like we’re running out of gas.”
“I know, but how can that be?” I ask.
“I don’t know, but I think that’s what it is,” he says as we’ve slowed down to about 30 by this point. I’m worried we are running out of gas so I say, “Well if we are, you’d better get over!”
Tim pulled over and we sputtered on for a little bit and then the car died. He tried starting the car again, just to be certain that’s what it was. Yes. Out of gas. Nice.
Very quickly Tim and I decided to get everyone out of the car and on to the hill beside the interstate and he took off for gas. We didn’t want to split up, but really didn’t have a choice. In retrospect we should have just called 911 to get a trooper or someone to bring us some gas, but we haven’t run out of gas for years and didn’t even think about that until much later.
As Tim was running away and I was settling in with the boys I noticed that Eli was crying. I pulled him close to me and put our foreheads together and told him Daddy was taking care of us by getting gas and I was there with them to keep them safe. It was still daylight and it was a beautiful day so if we had to break down it was pretty good conditions. He was still upset but saw that I was not upset at all and he snapped out of it. He was trying to tell me that he had tried to tell Tim to get gas since he can see the gauges from where he sits, but I told him it was no one’s fault, the gauge must not be working properly.
The only thing we can figure is since we were pulling the trailer it was sucking a lot of gas and since we were on a hill not enough gas could make it to the engine to keep us going. There was enough in the tank since the "low fuel" light never came on but it just couldn't get to the engine. Now if we could have made it to the top of the hill and leveled out, it probably would have been just fine, but it turns out, if the gas can't get to the engine you can't get to the top of the hill/mountain.
Just a few minutes later while we were all just messing around, Eli said, “Here comes Dad.” I looked, and sure enough Tim was running back to us. It had only been a few minutes and he didn’t have any gas so I figured he had found a house and had gotten someone to help us. Relief washed over me.
Turns out, a family saw us sitting on the hill and figured we were just taking a break but then saw Tim on up the road and figured we needed some help. Even though they don't normally stop, they stopped and talked to Tim and told him it was about half an hour by car to the next gas station the direction he was headed. They offered to bring us some gas and told Tim to get back with his family. Which was good since I didn't like sitting there without Tim.
When Tim was back with us it was much better, we got out a blanket and sat on it, I bandaged up Simon and Noah who had fallen down when they went off to pee, I gave Jesse some teething tablets to ease his teething pain, we ate our leftover pizza from lunch and just waited. We had several other people stop to offer to help. God was taking care of us.
After a while they came with our gas and when Tim tried to start it up, it wouldn't start.
To be continued...
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter!
There's just something about Easter, isn't there? Christmas is steeped in traditions and feel good, cozy thoughts, but Easter, Easter is hope and freedom. Life renewing. I find Easter very close to my heart and personal, after all Christ died for me. Each year I learn more of what that means. Each year I learn more of how to give of myself willingly, as he did. It's a long process, I'm not there yet.
We had a great day celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!
Easter is also "my" holiday. Tim's mom passed it to me two years ago, but last year she took it back since I was 41 weeks pregnant at Easter. Sweet of her wasn't it? Now it's back with me until someday I pass it on to one of my daughter-in-laws as she did, but that day is a long way away.
I love to entertain and have people over, so hosting Easter is great. Making a ham is easy, so I decided to step it up with some other good things to eat. Enter Pioneer Woman! I made her Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes which I quietly referred to as "kick a**", and indeed they were. I even had to go buy a potato masher so I could mash 10 lbs of potatoes by hand. However, the hit of Easter were Bakerella's Cake Balls, also featured by PW (I drizzled some of mine with melted white chocolate-fancy!). They were fairly time intensive, but not all at the same time, so I fit them into my schedule, and my were they tasty!
I have to let the internets know that my boys were a huge help to me with the food prep for Easter and I couldn't have done it without them. We went to early church and were back home about ten.
From then on all I heard from Eli was, "What can I do next?" First he made Jesse oatmeal and fed him while I was getting the ham in the oven. Then he helped with the fruit salad, well, actually, he made it; he cut up broccoli for the veggie tray and got the peppers (red, yellow, green) washed cut in half and ready to slice; he unloaded the dishwasher; he sliced cheese until the cheese slicer broke; he swept; he carried things to the dining room and all the other little things I asked him to do. He was so helpful!
Noah got off to a rough start, but quickly changed his attitude and helped clean the bathroom and the mirrors, got the dip ready for the veggie tray, loaded it with carrots, set up the "boys" table, swept a little bit, picked up toys and other little things! He was helpful and is learning that helping isn't punishment (I think he's learning it). To that point, when Noah hadn't quite changed his attitude yet Eli said, "The work can be fun too, huh Mom?" Noah didn't agree; we're working on it.
Simon was a trooper. He helped with getting the "boys" table ready, sneaking bites of cheese, playing, picking up toys, and other little things as I could think of them as well as trying to stay out of the way. He's a very good little boy.
Jesse, bless his heart, ate oatmeal and then I put him down for a nap and he slept until just a couple of minutes before Tim got home from the second service, and that's the best I could of had from Jesse.
With the help of my boys, we had everything ready when people arrived and had a wonderful meal. Then they hunted some eggs.
We had a great day celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Pondering, Remembering
Did you ever have a really big event that altered the course of your life?
It can be tragic, but as time ticks on, you begin to wonder. Was it part of the master plan? Was something bigger at work? Or is good made from bad?
It shapes who you are so much so you don't know what you would be like if it hadn't happened. Would you even like the person you would be if it hadn't happened? Where would you be? Certainly not where you are. Do you like where you are?
How much time should be spent remembering? Wondering? Wishing?
On the anniversary I don't like to think of what "could" have been; that's not getting me anywhere. I like to think of what I need to change to go where I want to go and be who I want to be from here on out.
We have this one life and just this one chance. I want to make the best of it and on the anniversary of a tragic day, that's what I hold on to: make the best of what you've got—you don't know how long you'll have it or how quickly it could all change.
Cherish the time.
Friday, January 16, 2009
It's a ......
FAMILY! A new little family!
They had a beautiful baby boy at 11:14 am. He's 20.5 inches and a whopping 8 pounds 13.8 ounces! That Mary can grow a baby!
Both of his APGAR scores were 9, so he's doing well!
They had a beautiful baby boy at 11:14 am. He's 20.5 inches and a whopping 8 pounds 13.8 ounces! That Mary can grow a baby!
Both of his APGAR scores were 9, so he's doing well!I won't disclose his name at this time since I didn't think to ask Mary & Josh if they wanted to let the whole world know or if they planned to continue to refer to him as "Dude"!
It was so interesting to be on the other side of the birthing process. I'm honored that Mary and Josh both wanted me to share it with them. I would love to tell all of the details, but I'm not sure that they are mine to tell-and they do have a blog :-)
I will say that at one point Mary fainted or blacked out (I'm not sure the difference?)--it was after the birth by several hours and we sat her up so we could get her in her chair to move her to her to the post partum room and she got too light headed and blacked out for just a few seconds. I saw it coming on based on her eyes and and I'll tell you what, I don't have daughters but I think that's how I would have felt if she was my daughter--like I couldn't help fast enough and it hurt my body physically, like she was a part of me. I sure love that dear girl!
It wasn't a huge deal really, they just put her back on the IV and hydrated her some more. She had also only had minimal food in the prior 24 hours so all things put together made for one woozy new mama. But after that I did have to take a walk and call Tim, I knew logically she was fine and it wasn't a big deal, but the lump in my throat made me feel otherwise and I needed him to talk me down from being too emotional.
In the end, they moved her to her new room in her bed to circumvent that whole situation again. Mary asked for that the first time around and was denied--I think she new she wasn't ready to get out of bed yet. Goes to show you should trust your body! I stayed to make sure she got to that room okay.
The babe is hungry and rooting all the time. He's figuring out how to latch and is doing well with it. If he keeps nursing at the rate he's going, Mary will be sore, but proud of the strong little guy she grew with her own body.
I'm thankful to be able to have been a part of it and am utterly speechless at the magnitude of how thankful I am she and the baby are doing well and ended up with a natural childbirth (after some jumpstart assistance to ripen the cervix). Thank you for all of the prayers, but don't stop, the first couple of weeks will be difficult for Mary, and Josh too.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 10
**Sorry this is late, I thought I set it to auto-post.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm thankful we're raising our family in a free country. When I see the things that go on around the world, I'm glad God chose I should live here in the good old USA.
We have our faults, and I'm worried about the direction the country is headed, but I'm still thankful to be an American living in a free USA.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm thankful we're raising our family in a free country. When I see the things that go on around the world, I'm glad God chose I should live here in the good old USA.
We have our faults, and I'm worried about the direction the country is headed, but I'm still thankful to be an American living in a free USA.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 9
**I thought I set this to auto-post, sorry it's late!
I'm thankful that my sister found a job in her field-they're not too easy to come by. She really likes it and it seems to suit her.
She saw the job posted but they were already in their second round of interviews, so she didn't get it, but then a couple of weeks later they re-posted the job. The person they offered it to didn't work out and now it's Mary's.
As a bonus it's close to us, so we'll share a sitter when the time comes for her to go back to work.
I'm thankful that my sister found a job in her field-they're not too easy to come by. She really likes it and it seems to suit her.
She saw the job posted but they were already in their second round of interviews, so she didn't get it, but then a couple of weeks later they re-posted the job. The person they offered it to didn't work out and now it's Mary's.
As a bonus it's close to us, so we'll share a sitter when the time comes for her to go back to work.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 8
**I thought I set this to auto-post, sorry it's late!
I'm thankful for a healthy family. All of my boys are strong and healthy and there's not a price you can put on that!
None of them have had any serious health concerns or accidents. Just normal run of the mill family of boys kinds of things.
I'm thankful for a healthy family. All of my boys are strong and healthy and there's not a price you can put on that!
None of them have had any serious health concerns or accidents. Just normal run of the mill family of boys kinds of things.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 7
**Sorry this is late, thought I set it to auto-post.
I'm thankful for seasons. I love the changing of seasons-it gives you a change just when you start to think get tired of the temperature and activities of one season.
I can't imagine living somewhere where it's either cold or hot all the time, and while I get very tired of winter, I'm glad it's here. It gives me something to think about during August when I'm so hot I can't sleep (second story bedroom and no AC).
I'm thankful for seasons. I love the changing of seasons-it gives you a change just when you start to think get tired of the temperature and activities of one season.
I can't imagine living somewhere where it's either cold or hot all the time, and while I get very tired of winter, I'm glad it's here. It gives me something to think about during August when I'm so hot I can't sleep (second story bedroom and no AC).
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 6
**Thought I had set this to auto-post so sorry it's late!
I'm thankful for the church we attend. It's the first church I've ever been a member of or really involved in. I wish everyone could have the same feeling of being loved where ever they go to church.
It's a family that you know has your back, no matter what. And for me, that's better than some of my actual family.
I'm thankful for the church we attend. It's the first church I've ever been a member of or really involved in. I wish everyone could have the same feeling of being loved where ever they go to church.
It's a family that you know has your back, no matter what. And for me, that's better than some of my actual family.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 5
**Thought I set this to auto-post so it's late!
I'm thankful for my mother-in-law. They sometimes get a bad rap, and for good reason, but not mine.
Tim is the 4th of 4 boys, and several years younger than his brothers so we have the advantage of his parents having been through this before.
I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law, she's not over bearing, only supportive. Even when she doesn't agree with my/our parenting tactics.
She has shown me how I want to be when the day comes that our four boys have wives and families of their own.
I'm thankful for my mother-in-law. They sometimes get a bad rap, and for good reason, but not mine.
Tim is the 4th of 4 boys, and several years younger than his brothers so we have the advantage of his parents having been through this before.
I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law, she's not over bearing, only supportive. Even when she doesn't agree with my/our parenting tactics.
She has shown me how I want to be when the day comes that our four boys have wives and families of their own.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 4
**Thought I set this to auto-post so it's late!
I'm thankful for the good jobs that Tim and I have been blessed with. We both work in the town we live in, and couldn't be happier about it. No commute to speak of, or gas either. Plus we both like what we do. Bonus!
I'm thankful for the good jobs that Tim and I have been blessed with. We both work in the town we live in, and couldn't be happier about it. No commute to speak of, or gas either. Plus we both like what we do. Bonus!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thanksgiving-Day 3
**Thought I set this to auto-post, so it's going up a little late!
I'm thankful for little boys, particularly mine, who are curious. Their thirst for knowledge is amazing.
Like when a two year old sees the half stick of butter left on the counter that I didn't need for fixing dinner and wonders what it is. He's curious, but he doesn't ask. No, he wants to figure this out on his own. So he picks it up. And licks it.
And now he knows.
I'm thankful for little boys, particularly mine, who are curious. Their thirst for knowledge is amazing.
Like when a two year old sees the half stick of butter left on the counter that I didn't need for fixing dinner and wonders what it is. He's curious, but he doesn't ask. No, he wants to figure this out on his own. So he picks it up. And licks it.
And now he knows.
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