Evolution of Dance

If you are in a bad mood and need a good laugh...here you go. Cayla and I laughed out loud as we watched it. It is 6 minutes long, so watch it when you have time to watch the whole video.

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A New Fresh Look

I change my template about as often as I rearrange my furniture. I can handle changes on the little things...it's the big changes that scare me. Maybe if I take charge of the little changes then I won't have to deal with big changes. I don't think it happens that way, but it's a good thought indeed.
I hope you enjoy the new template. I picked this one because my favorite color is green. Take notice, I have added a question on the sidebar. You'll have to take a peak...and just for fun, leave me an answer. Also, for those of you who read my blog and don't comment, just for fun would ya comment? I love comments. Have a great day.

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Link Question?

How in the world do you get a link (with picture and all) to appear on a sidebar? I have been sitting here for two hours (waiting for Justin to come home) trying to figure this out. I am about to go insane. I have signed up for http://www.themomblogs.com/ and I cannot get the link to appear on my sidebar. Well it is there, but not how I want it. My desire is to be able to click on the picture and go directly to the link. Can anyone please, please, please tell me how to do this? You can email me with any suggestions.

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Larah's 1st Birthday

Here are some pictures from Larah's 1st birthday...January 4th. I am a little late getting them posted. But if you read my next post, you will learn how slow I truly am. Larah had a quiet first birthday. We thank the Lord that we were able to celebrate it. Her awesome cake was made by our good friend, Eleanor. She is a woman with many talents. Thank you, Eleanor and Happy Belated Birthday, Larah. I love you both!!

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Duh

Do you know that a slow cooker is called a slow cooker because it cooks slow? I would have to guess that your answer would be, "Why of course, doesn't everybody know that?" Well, you see, some people have logic and some....not so much.

Early this morning I put a roast in the crock pot. I let it "slow cook" all day. The house was filled with the aroma of BEEF!!! One of my favorite smells. Weird, I know, but it is. Anyway, my plan was to let the roast cook all day and when my wonderful hubby came home from a long day in the big city, I would present him with a delicious well-planned out meal. But this is where I failed to be logical. I thought if I added the potatoes, carrots and onions to the roast in the "slow cooker" at 4:30, they would be ready about 5:30. My great friend, Lolanda, had to break the news to me gently....if I put the veggies in at 4:30, it would be 3-4 hours before they would be ready. Thus the term "SLOW COOKER!"

Tim came in the door about 5:30 and I fed him leftovers. He was sweetly grateful. It is now 7:25 and the potatoes are still not done. My crock pot and I have something in common...we are both a little slow.

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A Lesson Learned

Sunday morning is not the most appropriate time to write a post. But I feel this matter is of utmost importance. If for nothing else, it will serve as a reminder to myself in the future as I go back and read what I have written.

Life is short and our children grow up FAST, way too FAST. I've heard this many times over the years but I think it may finally be sinking in. Last week, Justin took his driving test and upon successful completion, obtained his permit. We now have a teenage driver in our home. It seems as if he was born just yesterday, but no...that was 17 years ago. Seventeen years have flown by.

Seventeen years ago, when Justin was a baby, I was busy. Too busy. Too busy working, too busy socializing, too busy cleaning, too busy hanging out....too busy to hold my baby. And this pattern continued over the years through a few more babies. But God is actively taking a hold of my heart and I am slowly learning that time with my children is short.

Last night Larah went to bed at 7:00. For some reason or other she woke up at 9:00, thinking it was time to rise and shine. In previous years, I would have gone into her room, laid her back down and told her to go to sleep. She probably would have cry and protested, until finally crying herself to sleep. But as I learn that time with my baby is precious and fleeting, I took this opportunity to hold her. I picked her up, held her in my arms and cuddled with her for an hour and 10 minutes until she finally drifted off to sleep. During the hour and ten minutes that I held her, I marveled at God's gift to me. I sang to her. I prayed for her. I rubbed her face. I smelled her hair. I cried. I cried out of sadness that I didn't take these opportunities with our first children and I cried out of joy, for God has continued to bless me with more babies. I cannot go back and fix my yesterdays but I can learn from them and I can live today. Today I will slow down and hold my baby. Today I will not be too busy.

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Two Of My Favorite People

Aunt Amy and Larah at her suprise and belated FIRST birthday party.

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Family Reunion

January 12, 2008

Elkhart, Indiana

Steve, Dad, Micheal, Ben, Amy, Mom, Me

I love you guys!!!

And I miss you already!!!

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Happy New Year

January 1, 2008! Our celebration into the new year was wonderful...although now I am ready for it to be over and I am very, very ready to be in my bed. "Rumor" has it that that will take place in approximately 30 minutes. I wonder just how accurate "Rumor" is. Right now it is 1:12 A.M. Will I still be on here in 3o minutes or will I be snug as a bug in a rug??? I'll let ya know.

We held a prayer meeting in our living room tonight. Our house was packed. I was quite pleased with the turnout. I assumed not many would come because of snow and ice, but I was wrong. And how glad I was. Something amazing happens when Christian brothers and sisters gather together to pray. What a way to bring in 2008.

Shortly after prayer meeting Justin and Matthew took off to the Goodrich's house. I called there at straight up 1:00 and they were just getting ready to come home. Yesterday (December 31st) was Audrey Jeanne's 16th birthday (AKA: AJ). The boys went to help celebrate. They were going to eat burritos and go sledding. Well...I think that was the plan. Happy Birthday, AJ!! You're awesome.

Lolanda stuck around our house until 12:45. She's a trooper. She, Katie and Cayla stayed up and watched a movie...Seasons of the Heart. Lucas fell asleep in my recliner, Tim and Larah had long gone to bed and I dozed on and off on the futon. It wasn't an overly exciting New Year's celebration, but we were all warm and cozy.

My boys are home so I am on my way to bed. The time is 1:38...4 minutes early. Good night.

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