We're Set!

Well, almost...

Ok, let me back up, I'm getting ahead of myself. Some of you may or may not know that we are going on a quick trip to MI/MN/WI/IN...we will be gone for a little over 2 weeks. The only thing I'm not thrilled about is that we have to leave Bob behind. :( He could never get that kind of time off from school and work unless it was Christmas or maybe spring break. I wanted to get this trip done before the snow claims the UP so those dates are pretty much out of the question.

So the "we're set" is that Levi got the dates off - Oct 3rd throuth the 19th - and the "well, almost" is that we are still waiting for plane tickets from my dad. He flies for work so he has a lot of frequent flier miles to use up and since we've all been wanting to get together for sometime this seemed to be our only wan to do it. And A. Debbie and U. Lyle wanted to see me and the kids (and Bob too, but we've already went over the why not with him) so we are going to see them as well...but I'm getting ahead of myself again! LOL

Here's a map of our tentitive course:


View Larger Map

Chances are - if your town is on the map, plan on getting a call from us in the next couple of days! Amie and Jodie Z. included!

Here's our projected tentitive schedule...everything is moveable by a day or so...

Fly in to Chicago - Jodie F. if you aren't too busy and you want to meet me and the kids for lunch leave me a FB message or a comment here and we can work things out! - (Flint for Levi) and go to my mom's to get our rental car. We will probably stay at her house for a day or so and then travel to either Flint to travel with my dad and Levi from there to Houghton Lake where we will stay with my A. and U. for a couple of days. Tues. we were hoping to maybe swing by and see Jeremiah and Amie (I haven't called yet because we just made up all these possible plans last night and they aren't concrete on the exact time and day yet) for lunch or something then go on up to the UP - with a few stops in between (my brother is going to have a rude awakening about traveling with kids!). We plan on spending a few days at the farm with my dad (I'm pretty excited about staying there - I love going home!) and seeing U. Kimmy and A. Darlene and Grandma and Grandpa and anybody else who we hope to see there. Sometime over the weekend or the beginning of the following week we want to travel to Mpls. to see Josh and Bethany and maybe Jodie if she has the time. We will probably only stay one night but if our rental car permits we may stay 2 - the kids have expressed a desire to go to the Mall of Am. and I think they are old enough to remember an event such as that. So if we have the time we want to take them there and maybe ride a ride and see LegoLand there (Luke is a lego freak!). On our way back to my mom's, we want to stop in Stevens Point to see Jeremy R. for lunch or something. Finally back at my moms by Tues. or Wed. at the LATEST (this all depents on how long we have our rental car - my mom is renting one for us so graciously so we can see her as well), spend the rest of our time there and fly out on Sun. or so.

So it's a lot of people and places - and miles! - to pack into a few days. It seems like plenty of time when you refer to it as a little over 2 weeks but when you look at the fact that we are traveling through 5 states in that time...it doesn't seem like NEARLY enough time to see everyone! So, I will be packing and planning and not really looking forward to air travel with 2 kids over the next couple of weeks and probably won't be posting much on here!

For now, we are getting ready to go to Luke's last soccer game of the season so I better get moving. (He asked me the other day if he could have "the guys over" so they could play together before next spring...yah, I want 5 more boys with as much energy as Luke all about the same age here in our tiny apartment for ANY amount of time - I don't think so Tim!)

Have a great weekend! :)

Laughing with Luke

Last night after I got my flowers from Bob I decided I should go to the store to get him something...the only problem was what? Neither one of us need anything and he wouldn't care for flowers (besides, we already had one beautiful arrangement at home but even one more would make my living room to look like a funeral parlor)! So I made the mistake of asking the kids, "What should I get Daddy for our anniversary?" Luke - the first thing he said was, "That 10 lb. chocolate cemetary thingy at wal.fart in the Holloween isle!" Yah, I'm going to give my husband a 10 lb. chocolate tombstone for our anniversary! Next, he said we should get him a really nice, very good, tie....Well...when does a mechanic wear a tie and where would he wear one? So that one was ix-nayed. Another one he suggested was a candygram, since daddy likes candy!

I ended up getting him a nice card (it's hard to shop for an anniversy card with kids who like to point out all the funny or gross ones and they are opening all the noisy cards when you are trying to hear one!), a nice dinner (I got fried chicken because I didn't really want to cook on my anniversary!) and dessert, plus some chocolate covered cashews and candy corn. I feel back on the old reliable, food! I still feel bad so I may have to get him, oh, maybe a 4G jump drive that he's been wanting...or a new gun case or sling for one of his guns...we'll see. Now that I've had some time to think about it!

Today Jodie updated her blog with this cute picture of her mom's new puppies. They were so cute I called the kids to look at it and Luke says, "Did that black lab lay those?!" LOL I had to laugh!

The things that kid comes up with!

NRA Sporting Day

Luke, Annabelle, and JozieBelle

A couple of weeks ago I took the kids to an NRA Sports day where the kids got to participate in all kinds of outdoor sports and learn a thing or 2 along the way. The first thing they did was ride a 4-wheeler. They both enjoyed it but they were really big machines and Luke had a hard time turning it! After that they moved on to archery. Jozie really enjoyed shooting the bow but I think she had a hard time pulling it back because of her recently broken arm - it's still pretty weak. After that they had a little talk from the Boy Scouts about outdoor safety while they are hunting or camping and also a demonstration about compasses. Then they came to the hard part for Jozie - there was a shotgun/skeet shoot. Luke loved it and shot 3 times (he didn't hit any of his pigeons though)! But Jozie was afraid of the gun. She got up there and after the guy showed her what to do she chickened out and walked away. I talked to her a little about it and she finally decided to go back up. She ended up shooting it and even liked it! After lunch they had a trapping demonstration. Luke really liked that - I think it was his favorite part - but was getting a little frustrated because he was one of the youngest and consequently one of the shortest so he was having a hard time seeing around the taller kids who were crowding around the demo. The last thing they did was shooting .22's. They both really enjoyed that and each of them came home with their spent casings. Overall it was a long day - 8am to 3pm - but the kids had a great time! Here are a few other highlights and some pictures:

• Jozie was afraid of the 4-wheelers as well. She has never driven one though Grandpa in MI used to give them rides on it whenever we would visit him. So she asked the instructor to ride with her. He got on the back - I think it was like a 450 or 500cc - and once he was on she gave it the juice - fast and quick! She ended up doing a wheelie and the guy nearly fell off the back! LOL There were some farm boys that were in her group that happened to be in line to ride the same 4-wheeler and they were in awe! They were older boys who drive 4-wheelers daily for various chores and entertainment so they though it was great that this girl did a wheelie! For the rest of the day she had 2 admirers! I couldn't believe it! My daughter impressed the boys without even trying! She was a tad embarrassed when she got back to the line but quickly became proud of her accomplishment when all the boys started talking to her and patting her on the back! Just remember your Bowling Ball song and everything will be fine, honey! Daddy said those boys were lucky that HE wasn't there!
• Jozie and her admirers (Orange Cap ? and Blue Cap Tyler)
  

• 
• Jozie on the 4-wheeler
  
• She asked me, "Mom, why do those boys keep following me around?" LOL

• When the kids were in the archery area they had to partner up. Jozie had no problem finding a partner because one of her HS friends were there. Luke, on the other hand, didn't know anyone and he is left handed. This usually doesn't matter, just find another boy and shoot at the targets, right? Wrong. Because he is left handed he had to have a partner that was left handed because they were using compound bows. By the time they saw the little one raising his hand for being a lefty the only other lefty left was a girl! He wasn't really happy about it but he wasn't going to let it show to the girl...he's a big man, you know! And she had to be at least 10 - if not older! He told Papa John that she was cute! She was a very nice polite girl and she even helped him out with his shooting a time or two. After that, the girl had an admirer that followed her around all day! LOL

Luke's Partner

Luke shot the bear right in the eye!

What Form!


Belle the archer!


Annabelle and JozieBelle

in love

for 8 wonderful years today! Though our road hasn't always been easy I have always known that I could depend on you. You have been my best friend and my partner. I look forward to the years ahead with anticipation. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

Thank you and happy anniversary!

Reason #101 I'm Glad We Moved To SD

The major flooding that is going on right now in Northern Indiana! Oof-duh! My friend posted pictures on her facebook of the bridges that I used regularly in Hobart and they are all underwater. There is flooding so bad in downtown that the bank and the Library next to the house we almost bought had water in them. Our house (that's what we called it whenever we went by it) is right next to the bank. We did put a bid in or 2 on the house but they took someone else's offer because they went higher than the asking price and they had cash. We were pretty upset at the time - being so tired of living in a basement - but I'm just grateful that we don't have that headache to deal with!

I just talked to my mom and she said that overnight the street in front of her house got a big sinkhole in it. People were driving across the neighbors yard to go around it and she thought that people had used their driveway too - since it connects to the street on the other side of the house. They don't have any water in their basement except for a couple of spots that got wet whenever we had a lot of rain but their sump pump is running constantly!

And all thanks to Hurricane Ike!

Luke in Soccer

One Happy Kid!

Luke has really been enjoying his soccer season. His team is undefeated and they tied once...the rest of the games the coach was telling the boys to hold back some to let the other team get some goals. LOL They don't really have practice except for a few minutes before the games. There are only 6 kids per team and only 4 are on the field for each team at a time. They don't have a goalie, they have a "sweeper" who isn't allowed to touch the ball but can stand guard of the net. There was one goal in the tied game they had the should have gone in but the sweeper on the other team used his hands to stop the ball. They should have just given Luke's team (Liverpool) the goal but I guess that's not the way they do things...Bob was able to attend Luke's game on Sat. because it was his weekend off. Luke was thrilled to have Daddy at his game for the first time. He played his first game ever and scored 2 goals for his team. He was so excited he asked me more than once if I was proud of him for making 2 goals. He is not a very aggressive player - which surprises me since he is so aggressive and competitive in almost everything else he does - esp. if he's competing against his sister...

So, we have a make up game tonight for one that was canceled because of lightning last week. I think he only has like 4 more games left. After next week the season is over. I'm sure he will miss it and I've really enjoyed watching him play!

The Team - Luke is #3

Time to line up!

Team "Practice"

I DID IT!

Here are the pictures from our DeSmet trip!

Picture Neglect. II

Ok, Bob and Luke went with Taylor (one of Bob's friends from school) to get some shooting practice in so I might be able to get another set of pictures up....lets see if I can get both the Little House and soccer on before they get home!

We had a wonderful trip to DeSmet. The tours were great - I wasn't supposed to take pictures inside some of the buildings but I had my camera in my hand and I forgot a few times. Laura's prairie was beautiful. Words can't describe how neat it was to stand where she stood and look at the same sunset that she did and hear the same night noises as her. I was sad to leave. It gave me a longing inside for something simpler, for someplace to call my own. I have this little obsession of looking at old house plans and looking on realtor.com for my favorite property search...I'd love to live on a place like that! (Not the whole museum thing but my own home, barn, fields, and room for the kids to run and play - while they are still young enough to enjoy it!)

Here's the quote on the plaque...

"It was fun to explore the farm.
A careless glance made the land look
like all the rest of the huge prairie.
But with a watchful eye, it was surprising
how much variety and
how many things of interest
could be found on 160 acres."
~From "Pioneer Girl"
(The Unpublished work of
Laura Ingalls Wilder)

The rock quotes:
"Remember well and bear in mind, a constant friend is hard to find." Laura Ingalls Wilder
"The future is in our hands to make it what we will." Laura Ingalls Wilder
"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes - it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies." Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ok...now I know why I HATE slide and bought PhotoShow...I just uploaded about 100 pictures and added captions - it took me the majority of 2 and a half hours (mostly upload time) and I lost it...I am so mad I could spit! I'm done. I'm frustrated. I'm going to bed!

On the upside the boys are home and Luke had a great time shooting with the boys! He shot the .22 but wouldn't shoot anything else. He brought me one of his targets that he hit...on the edge! I guess he couldn't see through the scope so he just pointed and shot.

So I guess if I have time I will try this again tomorrow...maybe this time I will just get my PhotoShow going...

The Radio In My Head

Here's a brand new song that I have been singing for the last couple of weeks. I can't seem to get it out of my head (what's new there?LOL) so maybe this will help...

It really captured my heart. How many people do we walk by everyday that are hurting and struggling to find their way? How many only want to hear that God love them and that He's always there for them? And how can I make that difference in peoples lives? I'm not really sure about the people I go by on the street but I know I can be my neighbor's friend. I can show her God's love through my life and by listening to her - even if I don't want my kids playing with her kids anymore...but that's another post! Anyway, I guess that's where I can start - and hopefully I can make a difference in her life.



Here are the lyrics:

Brandon Heath Lyrics - Give Me Your Eyes

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
To ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work
He’s buying time
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah

I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
yeah .. yeah .. yeah .. yeah

Picture Neglect.

Yep, I have committed Picture Neglect. I have several events that we have taken pictures at over the last couple of months that I have neglected to post. (Probably because I'm not very happy with the pictures I take with this camera - I'm almost ready to go back to my big old camera!) I fear my blog has become pretty wordy - and they weren't very good words either!

So, without further ado, here are my pictures!

OK, my computer is acting goofy and I've got to get SOMETHING done today so I'm going to post this before I lose it!

I will post the big DeSmet trip and Soccer pics soon!

Shoes...Again...

Well, we got all of our shoes this week and we've decided on the purple mary jane's. They were big for her but they give her room to grow and most importantly she's worn them a few times now and no blisters! Yipee! So now all I have to do is figure out how to send the rest back. The 2 I ordered from 6pm were big enough for me to wear comfortably! I couldn't believe that my little girls feet were as big as mine so I made her put hers up to mine. Sure as shootin', they were almost the same! Her's were only slightly smaller! Can you believe it? I can't! So I guess the lady at the local shoe store wasn't that far off! "Sorry lady at the local shoe store!"

My baby girl is growing up and I guess I just refused to see it!

Tender Foot

Now that we are getting back into shoe season we've been having a hard time (again!) trying to get Jozie into shoes. Her feet are so sensitive and she gets blisters in EVERY pair of shoes she's got - right on her heels. I took her to the podiatrist yesterday and they couldn't tell me anything except to suggest some VERY expensive shoes. Which isn't a huge deal, I just hope that they pay off in the long run by allowing her to wear something other than sandals!

I went to Zappos.com and ordered her these:















and these:















He suggested the mary jane looking ones and he also suggested the backless ones so that the friction wasn't there on here heels. They were both about $60 a pair. I ordered from Zappos because they have free shipping BOTH ways so when I find out they don't fit I can send them back! She really should have wide sized shoes and these don't come in wide sizes but they are pretty chunky shoes so they might fit her. (I just got an email from them saying that they are upgrading their warehouse somehow so I qualified for special priority shipping because they are trying to shorten shipping time to our area. I guess it DOES to live in a rural area sometimes!)

Just in case they don't I ordered 2 pair of back-ups from 6pm.com. They don't have free shipping but the shoes are cheaper and both pair are wide sized so I'm REALLY hoping that they both work and I can just send the Keens back!

Here's what I ordered from them. They were less expensive coming to $60 for both pairs so if they both fit her I will probably keep them so she has SOME variaty to choose from!






















She was happy with the way they all looked...she is a girl, after all! What girl wouldn't like new shoes! :) So at least I don't have to worry about her saying they are ugly when they come in.

We went to a local shoe store yesterday that the Dr. mentioned because they carry NB shoes. They didn't have kids sizes but said they would order anything I want - as long as I pay for them first. I wanted to get an idea of how they would fit her so the lady put some really heavy socks on her and put her in a woman's size 7 and a half. She was amazed at how well they fit and thought she may even need a bigger size because Jozie said they were tight across her foot. She didn't have an 8 so she put an 8 and a half on her. To me they were way too long but she said that an 8 would be perfect...again she was amazed. I left the store rather disgruntled that they could employ someone who couldn't even size a kids foot! I wear a size 7 and a half and there is no way her foot is bigger than mine. It's about an inch shorter! Sometimes you wonder what people are thinking!

Pick Me Up...

The Princess Bride has ALWAYS been my favorite movie. When I was in high school Ally and I used to quote the movie back and forth to each other when we got bored in school - which was quite often! LOL Anyway, I found The Princess Bride Game is now available and I am so tempted to buy it just for nostalgia! My kids even love the movie but hate watching it with me because I STILL quote almost all of it! LOL

Here's a little funny from the movie that you will recognize if you have ever seen it...enjoy!


Tickle Me Vizzini from PrincessBrideGame on Vimeo.

(PS...I will eventually take the time to get those pictures up...I've been so busy with school starting and camping all last weekend and now with soccer almost 3x's a week and teaching Wed. night @ church and HS PE once a week, and co-leading Keepers of the Faith for our HS group...I'm tired. When I have a moment to myself I like to read or knit and my blog gets forgotten for a day or so...)