I Was Tagged....

by my dear friend Rachel so here goes.

The rules of this game of tag are as follows:

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post (or as many as you want)
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!
(Personally, I think this is a great way to learn things about people that just wouldn't normally come up in conversation!)

My 6 Random Things:

1. I sneeze 2 times every time I get up from the massage table.
2. I am not a morning person, but have recently found that coffee helps (exhibit A).
3. We have an obscenely large movie collection.



4. I have long legs and a short torso which makes buying pants tricky. They are either too short and I look ready for the flood, or the waist is up to my armpits. A big shout out to the creator of low-riders. All I have to do is take a tuck in the waist (which is really supposed to be by my hips) and I have a perfect fit!
5. I cried the other day when Jacob told me that he makes pinkie-promises with his friends at school. It is just a reminder that he is growing up before my very eyes.
6. I love color. I live in Yellow House and the inside is as happy as happy could be.

the kitchen

the dining/sun room

the living room

the bathroom (we do not have a shower it is tub baths for us!)

our bedroom

the boys room

as much as I would like to say that I painted that tree, I must admit to using a Popsicle stick and just
rubbing on a wall transfer (but, I did it all by myself!!)

I am also including some pictures of me I was unable to upload last time I was tagged because I didn't have a scanner (but, now I do). If you didn't read my random things last time, click this link and have a good laugh.

this is me and Rusty(yes, he became burgers and I enjoyed them)

this was my first cow, Bessie (she is also the only one that I would ride, I called her my racing cow)

I am tagging: Rachel, Wendi, Sarah, and that will have to be all because, I just don't know that many bloggers.

Have a great day!!

The Concert (and meeting Angie)

A couple of months ago Angie Smith from the Bring the Rain blog announced that she was going to be attending a benefit concert here in Michigan that Selah (her husbands singing group) was going to be headlining for Laban Ministries. My girlfriends and I are faithful readers of Angie's blog and wanted so much to meet her in "real life". With our husbands permission and full cooperation (thank you guys!!) we planned our girls night out. First, we stopped at Panera Bread for some warm soup and sandwiches (and caffeinated beverages). Then we set out on our hour long trip to Northville. I still don't think I could find Northville on a map, but I can get you to the Nazarene church if you need a ride. The concert started around 7pm and it was great. Not only did Selah perform, but so did Todd's brother, Jack, and his wife, Molly and also Todd's sister Nicol (who was in Selah for 8 years). We also got to learn all about Laban Ministries and the wonderful work they are doing to help reach the people in Congo, Africa with the Gospel. After the concert was over we were able to wait in line to meet Todd Smith, Amy Perry, and Alan Hall (the members of Selah) and get their autographs. Now, I don't want to imply that that wasn't cool or that we weren't excited about that prospect, but we really wanted to meet Angie. So, my dear friend Wendi told Todd, as he was graciously signing our little bulletins, that we were really there to meet his wife. He just chuckled and wasn't at all surprised. He also told us that she would be out soon. Being the non-stalkers that we are, we very covertly started scoping out the (is joint an appropriate pseudonym for church? We'll just go with church) church and found her already surrounded by her bloggy fan club. Again, very nonchalantly we made our way to within touching distance and waited patiently (OK, so we were a little giddy at this point, but we'll just keep it between us!). After a while "her crowd" dissipated a little and she included us in the conversation. She was just as cute and vibrant and funny and humble as we thought she would be. We were able to talk with her for a while and of course get some pictures during which she shared her "skinny pose" secrets with us. And then, as if the night hadn't already met and exceeded our expectations she asked us, (yes, us!!) for our blog addresses. At that point we were all REALLY giddy and Rachel, shouted "It's a dream come true!!", which it was. I am sure that if we lived near Angie we would all totally be BFF's and that Todd doesn't really think we are all crazy. At least that's my story and I am totally sticking to it!!

I am pretty sure that Rachel and Rachel and Wendi are going to be posting about this wild (by our standards) and wacky night. If you want to check them out, just click on their names and you will go right to their blogs.

Rachel, Me, Angie, Wendi and Rachel

Toothpicks and Other Random Goodies

I think I am going to start a weekly blog entitled "The World According to Ethan". I have in the past couple of days started to really listen to what he says and try to remember it because if it doesn't give me a headache, it makes me laugh. I should probably start carrying a tape recorder.

This morning Ethan brought up toothpicks. I know, what on Earth inspired this burst of randomness? Anyway, this was the conversation:

Ethan: Mom, did you know that Papa doesn't use your toothpicks because he has stuff in his teeth?

Me: No, why does he use them?

Ethan: Because he just wants to use all of them up.

Me: Are you sure he doesn't have stuff in his teeth?

Ethan: Yeah, he told me so. He just wants you to buy more.

Me: (in my head) Is this some diabolical plan to put me into poorhouse? Could it be true that my dad has it out for me and he's using this toothpick scheme to bring it to fruition? Was I that bad as a teenager? Oh, yeah, I was. Ooops.

Ethan: What are those toothpick things called? You know, the things you stick in the cakes?

Me: They are called toothpicks.

Ethan: Oh yeah, but we don't use them to pick teeth, we use them to make cakes.




Kids in general are loads of laughs. On Wednesday nights I work with the Cubbies group at Awana. The Cubbies are 3 and 4 year olds (just so you are aware). Last night during our Bible story time Mr. Martin (our Bible story time leader) asked if anyone knew where Jesus was born. The first answer shouted out was...."Florida". Yup, I said Florida. A few minutes later Mr. Martin asked if anyone knew what a Jew was. Another child (I'm sure it wasn't the same one) said "I want some juice!" and his neighbor said "I'm thirsty too!". Seriously, I couldn't make it up if I tried. It makes me wonder if we are having an impact at all. But then, someone does something that makes me realize we are.

Lastly, tonight me and a few of my friends, Rachel, Rachel and Wendi are going to meet Angie and see the group Selah. I am really excited (I'll try to stay away from caffeine today so I don't scare any of you!). Hopefully we'll get some pictures to post tomorrow (it shouldn't be a problem because we all scrapbook and we all blog which means we all will have our cameras). If you haven't checked out Angie's blog (and if you are reading this here, you probably have because only the three of you listed at the beginning of this paragraph read my blog anyway) you really should. She and her family have gone through a huge loss this year but she is using her grief and her words to bring glory and honor to our savior, Jesus Christ. Her words are inspirational and honest. You will be richly blessed by what she has to say.

Anyway, that's all I've got for today. I hope you have a good one.

Conversations with Ethan

Every morning during the ride back home after dropping Jacob off at school Ethan starts talking for the day. Once he starts he doesn't stop (unless it is naptime, which is strictly enforced for my sanities sake). Our conversations range from the beauty of the morning to the "whys" of life. Today our conversation started with Ethan wondering if the pigs that turn into bacon get shot or stabbed. I know, such a great way to start the morning (thankfully, I had already drank a half cup of coffee). Anyway, the conversation took a turn and this was part that struck me as funny (as if pig slaughter is normal)...

Ethan: Mom, do we have guts?

Me: Yes.

Ethan: What are guts?

Me: Guts are all our insides, like our heart and lungs and stomach and intestines.

Ethan: Where does our food go?

Me: Into our stomach.

Ethan: Why doesn't it go into our legs?

Me: Because God made us so our food goes into our stomach.

Ethan: Does it become poop?

Me: The part that our body doesn't use.

Ethan: But why doesn't it come out our leg instead of our bottom?

Me: Because that's not how God made us. Time to be quiet now, Mommy wants to listen to this song. (and get rid of the headache that I've gotten in the last 5 minutes talking about guts.)

Ethan: But, I think it should come out our legs.

Java...

I haven't always been a big coffee drinker, but lately I've been dabbling with iced or hot, mocha or regular. I have friends and relatives alike that don't start the day (or end it for that matter) without a cup of that hot, uplifting, comforting gift of goodness. Since fall has taken hold we have been having damp, cold weather and nothing sounds as good as a hot beverage (especially one that will help me wake up and get out of my warm and toasty bed). So, yesterday I took my coffee pot (which was stored in the box in the basement and only brought out for parties) out of its box and made a special place on the counter just for it. My Dad (love him) gave me a wonderful box of Gevalia Pumpkin Spice coffee and I used one of the filters that came with the machine (did I mention I've had it for five years or so?) and made myself some coffee. Now, I am not one to miss an opportunity to make a good thing better so I added some Pumpkin Spice Creamer to my Pumpkin Spice Coffee and what did I get?? A slice of Pumpkin Spice Heaven. I think I may be like those friends and relatives I mentioned above. A good cup of coffee to start morning or end the day (of course this would have to be decaf version or I won't sleep a wink) seems to me a very good idea.

Flying High

This past Sunday we had the opportunity to go flying over the town that Curt and I grew up in. This opportunity came about when Curt's parents won (through a silent auction that was raising money for their church) a one hour plane trip. They very generously asked us if we would be interested in splitting it with them. That gave each of us a half hour. The pilot is a sweet lady that goes to their church and also is a flight control director at a nearby airport. She is also the host of the pool party that we have gone to the last two summers. She is really neat and kinda spunky (I like that in a person) and very adventurous (at least by my standards).

This is us before we took off. It was only a four seater plane, so Ethan rode with Joanne and Gary.

Curt was co-pilot. I think the highlight for him was when he was asked if he wanted to drive. It was great for him, but as the driver he decided to play a little and with me being in the back seat, my tummy wasn't too happy with his up and down and right and left manuevers. But, I was glad he got the opportunity. It was a once in a lifetime moment.

We had hoped to catch all the fall color when we scheduled the date for the flight, but up until last week we really hadn't seen much color change. But, fortunately it came on strong this last week and we saw some magnificant beauty.

Curt took a great shot just as we were landing on the runway.

I love that you can see the propelor. When we were flying it was going so fast that I forgot it was even in front of us. It took the camera to capture it.

Thursday Night Football

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take the boys over to watch my nephew Michael play football. He plays both offence and defence and he is doing really well. Fortunately, he had a home game on a night that wasn't going to be too cold. I made up some really snazzy t-shirts that had his mascot name on the front and his nickname on the back. He thought it was cool to have his own cheering section and I had fun cheering for him.

Here are our snazzy shirts. You definately wouldn't be able to miss us!

Here is the back of the boys shirts.

Here is Michael. He is number 58.

I love this part of the game.

The Trojans won in the last few seconds with a field goal. It was a great game!

After this game was over we stuck around for a while because my other nephew Cam plays flag football and they had a scrimage during the following halftime. He is in second grade and looked so cute down on that big field.

Cam is the one in the middle with the black shirt and shorts.