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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Oh Sandy...

So we're all alive and fine, here.  There's some real heavy winds right now, and the kids had today and tomorrow off, but so far, we're managing really well.  Cody even has the days off (though he's working from home), so it's actually kind of nice.  We've been praying for everybody that they're safe and there's no serious flooding...

Take care, and we'll talk to you soon!

-Kristen

Monday, October 29, 2012

Halloween fun




While out shopping for some costume accessories the other day, we had fun with some of the hats at Party City.  These are the hats we tried on...



Sunday, October 28, 2012

Church party

The boys want to attend our church Halloween festival, so we're heading out. Man, they look good!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Eyeball soup!




I had leftover spinach and potato soup the other night, so I turned it into a gruesome dinner for the kids...  eyeball soup!  The effect was pretty funny; their faces said "I know this isn't real, but it still looks gross!"  Hahaha!  I love Halloween...

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Halloween party!

So last night, Cody and I went to a Halloween Social with friends for dancing. It was my first GROWN UP Halloween party, and we met before at City Tap House for drinks. We had a really great time, and Cody let me order a round of shots for everyone. So we all had a Vampire bite!  Yum... Vodka, cranberry juice and Chambord! It was a wonderful time - Cody has gotten to be such a great leader.

Vampire Bites - delicious!
Rich and Tricia




Velma, Angela and I

Love to all...

Monday, October 1, 2012

It's October!

Last week we went to Linvilla to pick fresh apples off the tree! It was awesome, and the apples are great. I also found my Citronella plants I've been looking for. They are part of the geranium family... Who knew?

Tonight we cleaned up some apples and made caramel apples. Bethany & Hans went to the next level - their apples look awesome! At least now I'm halfway eating a healthy dessert...  ; )

Bethany's apple is the face on the right, and Hans made the more traditional apple on the left.  Love to all...



Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Sunday at the park...

So we went to the park to hang out together, and Josh and I did this thing on the swing called the "Superman".  Or that's what we called it, anyway.  And Josh videotaped me.  VERY embarrassing, but LOTS of fun.  And it really can be that hard to get back to standing.  Honest.  It has nothing to do with age...


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Bethany's new stick...

Used field hockey stick from Ebay = $15.
One roll of electric tape = $1.
Duct tape in purple = $3.50.












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Having a mom who will make you a customized, personalized hockey stick...

Priceless.






Hans and I

The other evening, we were all craving ...  cookies!!!  So while Bethany was enjoying an evening ride around the block, and Josh was at his last MMA class, (he'll be returning to  Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo - God bless you!) Hans and I made homemade cookies!  It was a lot of fun; one of those memorable 'ordinary' moments.  We mixed it all together and made half Dark Chocolate chip and half Butterscotch cookies.  Delish!






Cody caught Hans enjoying them fresh from the oven.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Bethany's new 'thing'

So my beautiful daughter has decided to play Field Hockey.  ???  I'm SO proud of her for trying something new like this - just surprised at the choice!  She started her practices last weekend, and I bought her a used stick that we're going to 'dress up' when it arrives.

I never imagined I'd be fitting Bethany with a mouthpiece...  : 0
Bethany is the tall one in back, just left of center!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Goodbye summer...

Hello Six Flags Adventure! We decided to spend some family time together scaring ourselves silly. We were all split up in different groups throughout the day. Cody and I both rode roller coasters separately with Josh, since he really enjoys the EXTREME rides! I went on Nitro and Green Lantern with him - but the line at Kingda Ka was just too long. Cody rode the Batman ride and Skull Mountain with him, and hung out while Josh went twice on El Toro. Bethany and Hans went on several coasters too, as well as a bunch of 'carnival' rides. And Cody won a big turtle for Bethany and a squid bday for Hans, and later I actually won a giraffe pillow pet for Hans.
There were treats and goodies for all, but mostly we just had a nice time together. Though the "cleanest park" rating is incorrect. When there's trash - including a used diaper - left on tables and nobody picks it up, yuck! But also, really people? We wonder how Americans have such a bad reputation, that's it. Clean up after yourself, and don't be afraid to point that out to others. NOBODY should have to clean up a used diaper after you - it's your baby, after all!

But I digress...  Anywho, have a lovely Labor Day, everyone!  Love to all...









Saturday, September 1, 2012

On a lighter note,

Toffee is so bizarre.  She climbed into Josh's martial arts bag - the one he uses to carry his smelly, nasty clothes back and forth to class.  She went to SLEEP in it - YUCK!  Whatever.  Apparently the men in our house are wonderfully yummy, because she loves to roll in their dirty clothes, and will act crazy sitting in their laps.  And by crazy I mean, 'licking their armpits through their shirts and nibbling them if they let her'.

I know Cody is yummy, but I'll wash his clothes the more conventional way, thanks.

A week of terror and miracles...

So, the brief rundown is I returned from NC, and started to get back on track here.  But Saturday evening I was organizing the 18" pile of mail that had accumulated while I was gone (lots of magazines and junk), and discovered a letter from USAA saying they were canceling our homeowners insurance.  Given that we are in the middle of a liability claim - which, in my mind, would make it impossible to get another company to take us - and that I didn't realize even if they dropped us, they would have to settle the claim, I was terrified.  Well and truly scared for the entire future of my family.  Really - that's how it happens, right?  Some family is living out of their car, and you wonder...  "How did that happen?  How did they get there?"

Easy.  One accident, one legal action...  and everything can just disappear.  A little at first, and then it starts to snowball.  First you have trouble paying a bill, then your using your credit cards to make the payments, then your behind on the mortgage - the fall of a family isn't so hard to imagine.  And I was beyond devastated.  Fast forward to Thursday, when I get in touch with a law office.  (The other days were a bit full, what with Josh starting college, needing to see the Dr. for his ankle, and then X-ray's; he's fine, thank you God!)  After some answered questions and discussion, I called USAA.  Turns out that we're still in limbo waiting on the liability issue, and as far as our policy...

They cancelled EVERYONE in PA so they could issue brand new policies.  We weren't being dropped, it was just an easier method for what they were accomplishing.  It did mention that in the cover letter, but it was a brief blurb, and didn't really register over the fear.  May I just say, copious tears of both relief and gratitude ensued.  Sooooooo...

Several miracles this week.  Josh's ankle isn't broken and the swelling is finally going down.  Cody made it home from HIS trip to NC safely last night.  And most of all, our policy is intact and I can breathe and go back to regular life.

I feel so blessed lately - it seems like my prayers are answered pretty regularly.  I don't take that for granted; in fact I'm amazed, since I'm definitely one of the most least deserving people I know.  Maybe I'm doing things God likes.  It is nice to think so, since we've all ready had one Job, and I really don't want to seem like I have everything and then it all gets taken away.  I can tell you, it was an overwhelming experience being scared out of my mind and trying to reconcile that God had everything under control.  That is SO difficult for humans to do, but it helps - I think God likes to be recognized for what He does.  And if He all ready has it - whatever 'it' is in your life - under control, we have to accept that.  And acknowledge it; I think telling God you know He has it taken care of, even when life seems to be spinning out of control on our end, makes Him feel good.  Appreciated.  Who doesn't want to feel appreciated?


Cindy had this great plaque and I copied the message, since it was so good.



"When you come to the edge of all the light you have known
 and are about to step out into the darkness,
Faith is knowing one of two things will happen:

There will be something to stand on, or you'll be taught how to fly."

Exactly.  Love to all...

Thursday, August 30, 2012

That's some hair!

Playing with Hans hair at bedtime tonight, and this is what it looked like. What a cutie!
Love to all...

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Hans and I went to his school today and he got to practice with his locker. They're not as easy as you'd think, but he got it after a few tries! Doesn't he look ecstatic? Lol...
Love to all.

Monday, August 27, 2012

He's off!

So I took Josh to college this morning! It was a bit surreal, but there were no tears. He was nervous, and we arrived early, with loads of others arriving - in the pouring rain. I'm excited to see how it goes. I think he's going to enjoy college - he was all ready being bored with the time off!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Night Before College

Twas the night before college,
and all through the house
not a person was stressing;
that is, 'cept for Josh.

Though his backpack was ready
and books all set out,
he'd checked his whole schedule -
looked like he'd freak out!

An app was downloaded
for graphing his math,
and he knew how to get there -
he knew the best path.

Yet simple to notice,
that look in his eye,
that said he was nervous
about being the 'new guy'.

We told him we loved him
and sent him to bed,
to be ready for college
with a well-rested head.

And I heard him exclaim
as I turned off the light...
"I'll be lucky if I get one
wink of sleep tonight!"

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Hallway painted...

We're not painting her roses red, but her hallway looks wonderful! I finished this last night, but it was kinda late, so it didn't get posted.
It's really lovely - and this afternoon we ran errands, shopped at Lowe's, had an early dinner at Carrabas, and then I installed new shelves in Cindy's office. Yea! They are STURDY so no falling.
I'm sure it's obvious I've accomplished alot while here... So why can't I get crap done at home? Hmmm... I know I can procrastinate, but perhaps it's the deadlines that are motivating me. Or perhaps the sheer scope of her projects seems more manageable. Something to think upon!...
Love to all.



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Painting!

Got another project crossed off Cindy's "honey-do" list, including the lawn today! Painting ceilings, and this is the first wall done.
Miss you Hans, Bethany, Josh and Cody!
Love to all...


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Finally!

I got my hair cut today, at The Clip Joint, and it was wonderful! And Elisa told me what to say to repeat the process. Ahhh...
Me with my new haircut, cleaning up more of Cindy's crap!  LOL...