November 6, 2018

Time truly does fly.

Somehow, Stephen and I now have two - yes, you read that correctly - TWO teenagers.

One is on the cusp of being a man and is striving to live up to that.

One is stretching her wings diligently - albeit frustratingly at times. Getting a face full of her wing stretching is very character building.

Today I listened to a podcast, which is relatively new for me, about joy.

My sister in law is very good at creating a space for joy, despite having faced challenges that would have most of us quaking in fear or curling up and crying.

Did she do those things? Possibly. But she leaned in to the Lord and let Him carry her through. That is what the podcast was all about. Success with God doesn't always mean a smoothly paved road, straight and flat with turns that are well lit at night.

*Side note: the grammar down here is ENTIRELY different than what I was raised with. If my grammar is off, please forgive me. I am working on remedying it. Lol.

Success with God means He gets the glory.

We have to work hard and do our part. That is the biggest take away from that podcast for me. You should go listen to it. I used Google podcast since I have an Android phone. 

It is the Feathers podcast and the most recent one. My phone is charging (oops - I let the battery die) otherwise I would look it up for you and list it. But for realz, go listen!

Love & praying for you!

October 27, 2018

How is it possibly the end of October?

A lot has happened. You will just have to call to get caught up on all the news.

I realize that sounds rude, but that isn't my intention.

A friend said I need to find something that brings me joy, purpose and fulfillment to do.

Being that we have moved to LA, currently trying to figure out if I am sick or just overly stressed, adapting to life back in LA (albeit a different area of LA,) being a SAHM and helping my family adapt to life down here has got me a little busy, but needing an outlet.

I remember how much joy writing used to bring me.

I absolutely LOVE words and I truly enjoy hearing that people read this blog and had a few laughs with us through it.

Right now, it is absolutely gorgeous outside. We have had a few days (can you say 4?) of nothing but rain. Granted, that means cooler weather was ushered in and I will NEVER complain about that. If you know me even just a little you know full well that cool, crisp weather is my jam.

Speaking of jam, there is some delicious blackberry jam that a local lady made in my fridge right now. It makes me want to go bake some muffins to put it on. Oh! So, my oven here is dying. My landlady is FABULOUS and is already looking for a new one! The poor vintage thing has November 1980 as the manufacture date.! I am completely impressed that the oven has made it this long! They just don't make things like they used to.

Abigail is at a one day cheer camp. Kyle is chillin' like a villain. Stephen is out squirrel hunting...I think. Honestly, I wasn't fully awake when he said goodbye. Lol

I don't know what else to write, honestly.

We have found a church that we enjoy.

Mostly we are unpacked.

Settled is a whole other issue.

There are piles of ...well, there were. Yesterday I just started taking the pictures we haven't yet hung up, put them in a storage bin and slid them under Kyle's bed. All of the clutter is really bothering me. 

Abigail's birthday is in 1 week. She will turn 13 years old. I don't really know how that is possible. It feels like just yesterday I was helping Steve put her hair into a ponytail, sans bumps and loose enough to not cause a headache, before he took her to preschool.  We plan to have a small family party here for her. The girl has a wicked sweet tooth. I have gotten the family hooked on homemade ice cream cakes. They are really very simple and delicious. Abigail has chosen to have the top layer coffee flavored, the bottom vanilla and the center filling she wants to have caramel & heath chunk. We will be sure to have a pot of coffee brewed to help cut the richness of that!  Her grandfathers would both refuse to eat that. The poor souls both believe that coffee anything is awful, so we won't be tell them what flavor she has. 

Can you believe that it has already been 3 months and 12 days since we got down here?

When I think about how fast time flies, it is difficult to grasp.

Time to get cranking on laundry, cleaning and all things life related.

Love and miss you all.

I do still pray for all of you. 💖

February 22, 2018

One of the delightful perks of living up here in the GORGEOUS North Country, is winter break.

At first I thought it was silly. After living through last winter break, I love it.

Last year we called, the year of the flu. 

No joke. It was in our house for almost 3 months straight. One of the four of us would be down...occasionally all four of us.This winter, God has been very gracious and we haven't had any trouble with it whatsoever (Can I get an amen? hallelujah?)

I am not at all bragging. God knows what we need and this year we NEEDED a week of rest.

Don't get me wrong, we have been busy. Dr. appointments over an hour away, projects around the home, kids wanting to go hangout (They haven't begged and have been VERY understanding if it didn't work out so, of COURSE we get them to wherever as often as possible,) dogs running helter skelter, plumbing fun, etc. Did I mention it has been the warmest week OF THE WINTER?!

No joke! It for realz has been up to 60 degrees! I just realized that I said "no joke" twice already. 

Obviously, I need you to understnad that I have random fleeting moments of seriousness in my life.

Granted, these moments are few and far in between. Why take life too seriously?
It causes gray hairs (my hair is the perfect example.) Wrinkles, stress, heart issues, all of these are just side effects of being too serious. Therefore, I will be the one who just refuses to grow up completely. You are welcome. =)

Probably the plumbing and the dogs are my most hilarious shareable stories.

I have to get the kids' approval to share their stories. 

Teenagers are a hoot! 

That is all I will say...

Monday was President's Day and my Chief just wanted to sleep in. It was afterall his day off. I went down to get my workout on (hello Mrs. Claus! I joked with my kdg students about trying to become a jolly Mrs. Claus never suspecting 15lbs crept on!) Anyways, it smelled like #2. I checked all over to see if a puppy had an accident. I had slept in and these dudes are R.I.G.I.D. with their routines. No mess. I checked the bathrooms....a clogged toilet. Thank you teenagers....

Long story short, that wasn't the problem. The problem was a pipe from repair work done in JANUARY had never had the end cap replaced. It was open. So .... there was ..... *gag* .... yuck all over one section of the floor. My Chief cleaned that mess up ON HIS DAY OFF. 

Did I mention he is my hero?

Wednesday was my next "fun" day. 

I left the dogs out at a more normal time for them, yet still allowing me to sleep in.

Shortly after putting these well trained turkey tails in the yard that they have been TRAINED to stay in....my neighbor calls to let me know he found my 4-legged children running around his yard but they are now safely on my porch.

He said Frank was so petrified at being caught doing something he shouldn't have, he looked like he wanted to disappear.

My darling Kaden, when caught, tried to pretend he could camouflage himself by blending in with his pre-sunrise surroundings.

For the love of coffee! (I stole that from my friend L.F. - such a great line!)

What is wrong with my pups!??!?

Now they have those delightful leads and are put on them EVERY time they go outside without human supervision. Kaden acted at first like he couldn't believe HE had to receive a consequence. Lol. Silly Kaden, you may be my fave dog ever, but you will not be disobedient at the expense of what could cost you your life (running across the street/leaving the yard.) 

Frank on the other hand, believes that the lead is an abomination. This pup was by far the MOST difficult pup to train EVER in the beginning. We have done well over that past few years. Now, when he realizes that he has to also receive a consequence for leaving the yard, he stretches his neck out, puts his ears back and stands braced. He looks afraid to allow the lead to touch him. Lol. He also went about 24+ hours without going #2. 

Don't worry! We went for a walk and he feels MUCH better now.

Hope you have a fabulous day!

February 11, 2018

I want to write again.

I miss it. The feel of words flowing through my fingers to the page. As silly as this sounds, I miss laughing as I write out the stories of what actually unfolds in this family.

It is time. Please forgive the fact that I am not going to work on catching you up. That is too daunting of a task.