Saturday Survey #3

Hopefully by now you know the drill... You can always hop on over to AmyBeth's place to play along and see how a single girl in her 20's answers these questions...

1. How late did you stay up last night?

11:30ish

2. Do you prefer someone taller or shorter than you?

Taller, by at least 4 inches... Hubby is 8 inches taller...

3. Are you okay with making a total fool of yourself?

If it's intentional.

4. Have you ever been played?

I don't think so, but I could be wrong.

5. Do you enjoy being single?

No, but I haven't been for 16 years... oh my, that sounds like a really long time!

6. Name one thing you did yesterday.

Said good-bye to one of the sweetest men I've ever had the honor of working with. It isn't good-bye forever, he is just being led into a different direction work wise. I'll still see him every Sunday at church, but I won't get to sit in his office and have "those talks" like I have for the last several months. I'm really going to miss that.

7. Who were you with the last time you went to the movies?

My husband and Father-in-law... I sat in the middle and cried... we were watching Star Trek.

8. Do you ever get “good morning” texts from anyone?

Nope, I don't text.

9. What were you doing Friday night?

Picking up around the house and reading.

10. Do you like being home alone or does it freak you out?

I don't mind until it's time to go to bed. I generally end up staying up most of the night and way too early morning and then I have to sleep with the light on.

11. What’s the greatest thing that happened to you today?

My oldest son, Jacob, scored his first soccer goal of the season. Next week is the last game and he's not going to play next year.

And, my hubby is taking me out for a late lunch date later!!

12. Would you rather smile over a lie or cry over the truth?

Cry over the truth.

13. If you could move away, no questions asked, where would you move?

Charlotte, North Carolina. Hello... Nascar capital of the world... and its south which is warmer than north...

14. How much do looks matter to you in a guy?

Attractiveness is all fine and good, but without a great personality and common interests, I'm just not interested. That's why Hubby and I are a great fit. He makes me laugh and we have a lot of common interests, but not everything because that would be boring... Oh, and I think he's hot!

15. Have you ever told anyone you were okay when you really weren’t?

Yes, of course.

16. Would you go out in public looking like you do right now?

Yes. In fact, I already have.

17. What’s the first thing you did when you woke up?

This is a family blog... and my mother and in-law's read this...

18. Have your friends ever randomly stopped by your house?

Yes, but they now call before walking in the door...

19. Who is the last person you had a deep conversation with?

I can't say I have a ton of deep conversations, meaningful and important, but not necessarily deep. I would say it was Rachel...

20. If you could have something back right now, what would it be?

Flat abs... oh wait, I never actually had them... well, in that case, I'd like my breasts to return to their original, pre-breastfeeding, early 20's perkiness...

21. Is this the best year of your life?

They keep getting better and better. This one is going to have some major changes in it. I'll be sure to let you know how we deal with them.

22. If your friends warn you about someone, do you listen?

Generally, they are pretty level-headed... but I do tend to have a stubborn streak.

23. Are you keeping a big secret right now?

Yes.

24. Has anyone ever sang to you?

Yes but it wasn't a romantic gesture and yet it was still slightly uncomfortable...

25. Would you be able to date someone who doesn’t make you laugh?

No.

26. Have you ever fallen asleep while texting someone?

Nope... one of the many benefits of not texting... I don't have to worry about falling asleep in the middle of it... Schwoooo!

27. Do you like the rain?

I like what the rain does... turning the grass green, making the flowers bloom, etc. I do not like cloudy days, they make me sleepy. I love the sunshine and being outside.

28. Say your last ex runs up to you and hugs you, what do you do?

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have to do anything because Hubby would plant him a facer...

29. Did you ever tell your parents you were going somewhere but went somewhere else instead?

Yes. Back in my high school days, many, many, many moons ago I was very good at lying. That is not something I am proud of. At. All.

30. Do people underestimate you?

I don't know... I think sometimes I underestimate myself... I know I do.

First Grade Field Trip With Friends

Tuesday Jacob had a field trip with his first grade class and I was able to go and spend the day with him. Since Grace is in his class I also got to spend the day with my best friend Rachel.

Rachel and I both looked at the weather forecast and decided to plan accordingly. Which basically means that we both carried around back packs that weighed the same as small child (not infant or toddler... child).

And since we were prepared for every type of weather situation, bug infestation, knee scrape, and even the off chance that the sun might come out, we didn't actually need any of it.

I was glad that we brought it all though because I was able to feel a little like MacGyver... able to handle every situation...

... with a used toothpick, a broken comb, and hand sanitizer (I sure do miss him).

Except I had a whole lot more than that. You know, just in case...

Mommaaaaa... I Didn't Mean to Make You Cry....

Last Friday while I was cleaning up and getting ready to leave work for the day I noticed that Ethan had disappeared from the office. I went out to the hallway to see if he had wandered outside and couldn't see him, but I could hear him. I had no idea where his voice was coming from so I wandered around calling for him, peaked my head out the door and called for him again and still received no answer. But I could still hear him. After a few more minutes Rachel said "Oh, there he is." He had gone outside the church and was standing on a little hill up against the building. Here is a little snippet of what we saw and heard... you will have to forgive our giggles... we couldn't help it.

**Don't forget to stop the music at the bottom of the blog.

This went on for about 15 minutes. I really wish you could have seen his whole "performance". It was priceless.

Saturday Survey on Monday

This is my second Saturday Survey and as long as Amy Beth keeps them coming, I'll keep doing them too.

1. Who knows a secret or two about you?

Someone who will never ever tell.

2. Four words to explain why you last threw up?

I'm not good with limits on the number of words I can use... I like to talk. Ethan had the stomach flu and I was cleaning it up, and snuggling with him, and cleaning it up... are you catching on??

3. Have you ever burned yourself?

Yep.

4. Who is your hero?

I have a lot of them, but mostly I would say my step dad because he has always loved me like I'm his even though he didn't have to. I never felt like I was less than or more than, just completely loved and safe.

5. Would you ever want to be a supermodel?

No.

6. When is your next party?

I have a few graduation parties to go to this summer... Yea, Andrew!!

7. Do you know what you will wear tomorrow?

Sorta...

8. Have you ever accidentally eaten an insect?

I'm pretty sure that there were some mixed in my Tai food at this restaurant that hubby and I used to frequent... we didn't look too closely, the food was so good that the possibility didn't stop us from going back.

9. Do you talk baby talk?

Not so much.

10. Would you ever work in a retirement home?

I don't think so. I think my heart would get decimated.

11. Are you ever purposely irritating?

No, but I'm sure that I've irritated my fair share of people.

12. If you could fly, where would you go first?

This one is tough. There are so many places, but I'm going to say New Zealand.

13. Do you prefer boats or planes?

Equally tough... I love to fly, but I love being on the water and I've always wanted to be a pirate... Arrr matey!

14. One best friend or 10 acquaintances?

One best friend, but I have more than just one.

15. Favorite food?

Chicken Enchiladas from the Mexican restaurant downtown.

16. Do you believe that your first love never dies?

Only if you let it.

17. What upcoming event are you waiting and ready for?

A job interview. I'm scared and excited all at the same time.

18. Do you get your nails done?

Nope.

19. What was the last thing you ordered at McDonald’s?

I'm thinking it was a Mocha.

20. Are you an emotional person?

Yes.

21. When did your last relationship end?

We just celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary last week.

22. Favorite place to be?

Lake Michigan.

23. How do you feel about your hair?

I like it well enough.

24. Do you sleep with a fan on?

Sometimes.

25. Did you sleep in past noon today?

That is the most ridiculous question ever.

26. Are you sarcastic?

A little bit.

27. Did you have a good birthday this year?

My birthday is not until September. I'm going skydiving... I can't wait!

28. What is your favorite kind of weather?

Sunshine and 75!

29. Have you ever cried during a movie?

This is me we are talking about. I cry during most every movie.

30. Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

My sister Chris.

31. Who was the last person you cried in front of?

Hubby, at the IMAX theater, while we were watching Star Trek. Don't judge.

32. Do you like your name?

I can't imagine being called anything else, well... except for Mom and Krispy. But if you think of something, let me know. I'd like to know what other names you think would fit me.

Sometimes You Just Can't Find the Words...

Really...

Here She Is...

This is the little girl that we are sponsoring. She lives in India and her name is Vaishali, she is almost 8 years old, and I couldn't resist those big beautiful eyes.

Jacob tells everyone that he has a sister that lives in India even though I have explained countless times that she isn't really his sister. To which he replies that we adopted her, and I have tried to explain that real adoption isn't the same as adopting someone in our hearts. But I did tell them that we were going to pray for her like we do the rest of our family and we were going to love her like she was our family.

Both of the boys talk about going to visit her which someday I hope will turn into reality. I would love to take them on a Compassion trip to visit her when they are teenagers.

I do love how they just accepted her as a new part of our life. Their capacity for giving love is such an inspiration to me. The only questions they really asked were "Can we go see her?" and "Are the tigers going to eat her?" because, you know, tigers live in India. We are all really excited about exchanging letters with her.

Please pray with us for her and her family. I know that I have no real understanding of what true poverty looks like, but she is living it. I want her to know hope and love and Jesus.

Ring Around the Tree...

I've been doing a little landscape updating. I am not by any sense of the imagination all that clever or landscap-y (Yes, that's technical lingo) or even a Do-It-Yourselfer. I am more often than not a Hire-Someone-Else to do it kind of girl. But this year, I have some people in my life that are all big on the Do-It-Yourself kind of projects and unfortunately (or not) they have been motivating me to work on mine.

This was the original landscaping around the tree that is in our front yard. I don't have a better picture because I had already started the new ring-around-the-tree and well, your just lucky that there is a before picture at all...



Ethan and I are in the process of moving the old stones to the area in front of the house... I have a few pictures of me doing that, but some of them aren't fit for anyone's eyes...



This is more rock moving. I know, way cool, and obviously Ethan is tons of help.



Here we are pulling up the old plastic ring that was supposed to hold our rocks in place...



Because this was a serious landscaping overhaul... ahem, and I needed two days to finish it... hence the change of clothes.



On day Two I had some extra help from our neighbor Kyle...



But of course, I had to do all the heavy lifting...



and mulching...



But, look at the end result... I think it looks tons better. And in the process I had to buy a mason chisel and learn how to split bricks. Of course the first one was really crooked, but I bought another one and will be re-doing that job soon. And don't you say anything about it not being level... I'm NOT redoing it. Ever.



Thank you to all of you that helped in the building of our Ring-Around-The-Tree... Curtis for taking me to Lowe's on Mother's Day (because I wanted to do that instead of lunch out) and for unloading the two loads of stuff that I bought at Lowe's... Ethan for the rock moving help, I couldn't have moved all those rocks without you... Jacob for your superior camera operator skills. I will even forgive you taking pictures of my backside while I was bent over, I'm just gonna say you didn't know any better and be grateful we have a delete button... Kyle, for playing with the boys and leaving me to work in peace... and last but not least, Doc, for the brick splitting instructions. We wouldn't have to split a new brick if we had done exactly what you said the first time. Lesson learned.

Stolen From My Bloggy Friend, AmyBeth...

AmyBeth has been doing these little Saturday survey's on her blog... Today, I decided to totally copy her... right down to the very last question. Enjoy.

1. Where was the very last place you went besides your house?

The movie theater to see Star Trek with Hubby and my Father-in-Law... I actually enjoyed it.

2. What are you doing tonight?

Hubby's man friends are coming over to watch the NASCAR all-star race... I will be watching the race and laughing at them.

3. Who last texted you?

Chad, from the Bristol race, which was in March... I don't text much.

4. Do you have a secret that you’ve never told anyone?

Yep.

5. Do you get mad easily?

No... but when I do get mad, look out cuz its gonna break loose.

6. Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?

I express them, but I don't always talk about them.

7. Do you prefer warm or cold weather?

WARM!! This winter I told Hubs I just couldn't take the winter anymore so I was gonna move to Brazil. He was all "OK". But after considering it I decided that since I don't speak Portugese I should just probably stay around here...

8. Who was the last person you were in a car with?

Hubs, Jacob and Ethan... late last night, and let me just say that Ethan really knows how to snore!

9. What color are your eyes?

According to my birth certificate they are blue... According to Hubby, they are poopy green. I'm pretty much OK with either.

10. Have you ever given up on someone but then went back to them later?

Yes, more than once... and it turned out really good.

11. Have you ever thrown your cell phone in anger?

Nope... The only thing I've thrown in anger was a plate of Mexican food (remember that Hubby?).

12. Has anyone told you a secret lately that you aren’t allowed to tell anyone?

Yes.

13. Honestly, if you could go back six months and change something, would you?

No.

14. Are you wearing any clothes that don’t belong to you?

Nope, they are all mine.

15. Do you have a lot on your mind at the moment?

Always.

16. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

Officially I get the left side, but I usually wander and end up in the middle or on the right... I am a snuggler, much to Hubby's chagrin.

17. What is your favorite thing to shop for?

This one's really tough... I just like to shop.

18. Who knows you better than you know yourself?

Nobody, but sometimes they think they do.

19. What are you doing this summer?

Going to the beach, rollerblading, bike riding, going to Cedar Point, camping, playing at the playground, visiting family and friends, campfires, having lots of fun and laughing... I love to laugh.

20. Do you miss your past?

Nope, but sometimes I miss the people I've lost touch with...

21. Did you ever have tea parties when you were younger?

No.

22. What is your favorite line from a movie?

I have no clue... I remember moments and the feelings or emotions, but not the actual words.

23. Would you rather be the opposite sex?

Being able to pee standing up would be really convenient, especially after doing a bunch of squats... but no, not really.

24. What would you never name one of your children?

Lots of things...

25. What is the coolest restaurant you’ve ever been to?

Dagwoods... it is a really old bar, kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but they have the best burgers and fries... I haven't been there in a really long time.

26. Where do you go when you want to get a really good sub sandwich?

I guess Subway, but not really that often... I prefer panini's from Panera Bread.

27. What style of house would you like to live in?

One that comes equipped with a shower.

28. Do you flip the channel when commercials come on?

I don’t watch tv.

29. Have you seen any of the Saw movies?

Yes. Thank you Hubby for sharing that with me... let's not do it again anytime soon, mmK?

30. What was your favorite book as a child?

I was all into the Sweet Valley High books... but before that it was Ramona...

Mother's Day Morning...

because they are cute...


because they ask questions when they should be smiling...


and because we are just classy like that.

This Post is for Uncle Bret...

Are you ready for yours?

Before

During

Typical Ethan face

After (Uncle Bret, you see the happy face right?)

Growing up...

A few weeks ago Ethan went to Kindergarten Round-up. I have mixed feelings about his whole growing up and going off to school. If we've talked about it, I'm sure I've said that I can't wait for him to be in school... I can't wait to be able to get a full-time job (assuming there is one available) and help out financially... and I can't wait until the only hours that our house will be messy are between the hours of 4 and 8 pm... but, I also know that this is the end of my time alone with him (at least until Jacob goes off to college) and his last little bit of "babyness" and I want to enjoy every last bit. Every. Last. Bit.

I want to enjoy seeing his little legs dangling off the potty, but not yet reaching the floor...

and the way that he has to take off all of his clothes to go to the bathroom.

I want to enjoy the way he climbs up in the office chair behind me and plays with my hair all the while saying "Mommy, I love you and your cute!". I mean really, who wouldn't want to hear that everyday, all day long?

I want to enjoy the last few months of snuggling at naptime just because he wants to and I have nothing else I have to be doing.

I want to enjoy his giggles that are just for me.

And I want to enjoy silly faces and just plain goofiness....


I am looking forward to this summer more than any other. I am going to soak it all in and hoard the memories. He is changing and growing so fast, I want to enjoy it all.

**When he got home from Kindergarten Round-up he told me all about his "practice". He loved it and he even charmed the teachers. Mrs. B put a little note on the back of his name tag that said "He's such a sweetheart." Obviously he's only shown them one side of his personality...

Hello Peeps...

So here we are again, it's been a long time huh? All I can say is that we've been having a lot of fun and doing lots of things and I haven't been posting any of it... but I'm here, we're fine, nobody is sick today (although last week was a different story). But anyway, here's some of what's been going on. Brace yourself, this might take a while!

If you live in Michigan you know that this year we were beginning to doubt that Spring actually existed. The good news is that it does in fact exist, but you have to grab it when you get the opportunity or it is snatched away by new snow or if it has warmed up above freezing, rain... On one of our first beautiful and warm days the boys and I took a walk...

to the park...

I know... they are adorable.

We've been having some plumbing problems in the bathroom for a while and my parents tried their very best to help us out...


but what they were trying wasn't fixing so we ended up calling a plumber and getting this...

which also didn't fix the problem so we had to have a drain cleaner come out and he fixed it good!

We went to some birthday parties...



and celebrated First Years with cousins...



and Third years with friends...



We even had one of our own...

Jacob turned 7!

Hubby went to Bristol (without me, boo hoo)...

and came home a redneck...


We celebrated Easter by making "resurrection rolls" with our friends...



and spending time with my family.

These are my sisters and they are the best sisters ever!


Spring has sprung and love is in the air...

Ethan has a soft spot for Angie... she works at the church the same days I do and he likes to "help" her.

We've embraced our inner rascal...

and sometimes we pretend to be Indiana Jones.

Soccer has started...

and Jacob almost enjoys himself...

That just gets us up to date except for the last couple of weeks... I will be posting more soon.