Hubby & Hair

 I know, I know, the two do not go together.
(You've seen my husband, right?)

We were long overdue for a lovey photo together, so I had Lily snap a few today. 

See? We're occasionally together. He's such a good one, that guy. He deserves a random shout-out every once in a while.

Now to the hair. MY hair to be precise. Anyone notice?

It was time for a new change again. Due to winter hair/falling out hair, I decided to go short again. So far this is working out really well. I can run/exercise and only pin back a little or put in a headband. The rest of the time I can either put in some product and let it go wavy or straighten it. 

I haven't regretted the chop yet. Hooray!

And that, my friends is my latest Honey Do update. I bet you all just couldn't live without that, huh?

I hope your weekend is going well and full of family, friends and fun.

Now, back to more partying with my birthday boy.

Lucky you, I'll be posting birthday pics on Monday. 

You may thank me later.

5 Things And A Liebster

I am honored to be doubly tagged for the 5 Things & Liebster award. A shout out to Billie Jo at Afternoon Coffee & Evening Tea, who is a sweet lady and faithful commenter here. The other came from a new-to-me blogger, Erica at Boys, Books & Balls. You both are so sweet to think of me!

Five Interesting (um, maybe) Things About Me:

1. When I was young I most often could be found reading a book in the corner somewhere or in my room. These days, I just dream about doing it. Or fall asleep when I actually do get to read.

2. I never attended college. I thought about it and started the process even just for the local technical college when I was about 19, but didn't go through with it. I was going to enroll in either the hotel/motel management program or the travel agent/guide program. Oh how things change. Every once in a while I think about what would be different if I had obtained some type of degree, but it sure is nice not having any school debt.

3. I served with NET Ministries in 1998-99 on Team Four. The team number doesn't matter to you, but if you are NETter, it most certainly does. It was the hardest year of my life and yet probably helped me grow the most emotionally and spiritually.

4. I only have one brother, 15 months older than myself, and he was in the seminary for 4 1/2 years. While that has nothing to do with me, in a way it almost has everything to do with me. My family spent a lot of time visiting him and the seminarians since he was just under 2 hours away for 4 of those years. Those years I was blessed to meet and spend time with seminarians and priests and I think they fostered a fondness for seminarians and priests that I still have. (Now, now, don't go thinking me weird or that I liked it because HELLO, there were a ton of guys there and I was young. Not the point.)

5. Reed and I began dating mid-December 2000, quickly starting talking love, marriage and family. We were engaged February 13, 2001 and married September 8, 2001. A whirlwind, but I wouldn't change a thing.


Now, for my questions. Since I had two nominations and I don't have time to answer all of their questions, I'm going to choose 5 from each of the ladies.

From Billie Jo:

1. Would you rather drink coffee or tea?

Coffee, for sure. With flavored creamer. I'm spoiled.

2. What is your ideal day? Staying home, or going out?

I'd say staying home, because that is what I'm used to. I do have to say that I do enjoy/need to get out sometimes too (alone) because I need the time away. Most often though, I just enjoy being home and my hubby is the exact same way. 

3. How did you choose you first child's name?

I just came up with the name Lily one day and mentioned it to Reed. He didn't like it right away, but came back to me a couple weeks later and said 'you know I've been thinking and I really like the name Lily.' It grew on him and I loved it's simplicity. When we saw her for the first time, we looked at one another and said "that's our Lily" and knew for sure.

4. What is your favorite meal to eat? And to prepare?

Hmm...this is tough. I really don't have a specific favorite for either. I guess an old stand-by at our house is lasagna made with my homemade, canned spaghetti sauce. Delish!

5. Which of your child's tv shows would you choose to run for a 24 hour marathon in your home?

Gosh, a number of them annoy me or I've learned to tune them out. Off the top of my head, I guess I'd say Arthur since it doesn't bug me too much and is something my big kids still tolerate and don't make fun of.

From Erica:

6. If you could have a conversation with one of the women of the Bible which lady would you choose and why? 

Mary. I think she has a lot she could teach me and she is such a perfect role model for me as a mom and wife.

7. Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall? Favorite season of the year and why? 

I guess I would have to say Spring, mostly because it follows Winter and I despise Winter. Spring is so full of new life, a new garden planting season, flowers that start to grow again and the grass gets green again.

8. Do you ever dream of taking a short vacation alone or with a couple of close girlfriends? If so, where would you go and what would you do? 

I long to go on a dream vacation with my husband, but I don't know if I could manage to be away from the kids for too long. I want to travel to Rome with my husband one day before we are too old.

9. Night owl or morning person? 

Morning person, but not by choice. My kids are early risers so I've forced myself to get up before them to start the day and became a morning person.

10. How many states have you visited? 

18, but most of them I merely drove through or stopped for a short amount of time while traveling.

Alrighty, enough about me. How about you? I think I am suppose to tag anyone with less than 200 followers and give them 10 questions. Please forgive me if I tag you and you've already done this post. I know I've seen a number of you post recently, but can't remember each of you.

I tag:

Heather @ HappyMomOnline

Mrs. B @ Joy Beyond The Cross

Lori @ Loving Them From Scratch

Therese @ The Musings Of A Mom

Patty @ Reasons For Chocolate

For you:

1. What is your favorite hobby? Something you spend lots of time doing or something you wish you could spend more time doing?

2. Do you have a favorite breakfast cereal? What is it?

3. When was the last time you went on a retreat? Would you do it again/are you planning on another one soon?

4. What color were your bridesmaids dresses at your wedding?

5. What would an ideal date night with your hubby be? 

6. Haircoloring. Yes or No?

7. What is a boy or girl name you like, but would never use?

8. If you could get away from your kids and travel abroad, where would you go?

9. Favorite holiday, Christmas or Easter? Why?

10. Most recent book you read or are currently reading?

Thanks for joining in and reading my Five Things list. I look forward to reading more from you!

Walk For Life

Last Saturday I took three of the four kiddos to a local Walk for Life benefiting a pregnancy center in the area. This center is a wonderful resource to help pregnant women in the decision to choose life, get them the help and education they need and assist them with baby supplies. It also provides further instruction to the dad-to-be.

It was only a two mile walk along the streets in the town where the center is located in order to raise awareness. I figured that was the least we could do.

 

I invited my mom to join me in the walk and thought that it was a perfect way to celebrate life on Mother's Day weekend. The weather was absolutely.gorgeous. that morning. I had intended to take Gianna along and then the two big kids decided that morning that they wanted to join in as well. It's a walk for life, so might as well bring as many of my blessings as possible!

 

My BFF, Michelle, was there too so we chatted as we walked. Of course. She was able to slip out of the house minus kiddos that morning, so that was a rare treat for her.

It was so much fun to participate in the walk and celebrate life with many others who support and choose life. For some reason I managed to forget to take a photo of us all walking. It was a good crowd for a smaller town and there were lots of kids there as well.

 

Since the walk started and finished at a park, we couldn't leave without a little bit of time spent on the playground.

 

To keep the celebration going, next we were off to the coffee shop for coffee and muffins with my mom. Since we weren't going to be together Sunday, I thought this was a nice way to honor my mom and get the chance to spend some time together.

 

The kids were especially excited to share a Turtle Mocha and Raspberry Cream Cheese muffin. I enjoyed my Peanut Butter Chocolate coffee cooler and Banana Nut muffin. Yum. I figured the two mile walk prior to the treats made up for the splurge. Right?

It ended up being a very special pre-Mother's Day with my mom and most of my kiddos.

What did Reed to while we were gone, you might ask? He was busy with Greta of course, but while she napped he managed to get a second coat of paint on the new basement bedroom. It saved me from having to do it, which was a bonus Mother's Day gift. What a hubby!

Sunny Summer Days, Vol. III

There's nothing quite like summer in Minnesota. And there's nothing quite like the gardeners who make it their passion to cultivate their winter-hardy perennials. Being that my gardens have gradually grown over the years since hubby and I have been married, I can truly appreciate the endless labor of love another gardener puts forth. I also understand how those beautiful flowers help someone begin their green thumb and a hobby emerges.

My mom and I decided that a self-guided garden tour in a neighboring town would be worth a portion of our Saturday and would allow for a nice outing for us together.



So many of the gardens were in their prime and were flourishing with blooms. Gardens like these could almost make one envious, don't you think?



This raised vegetable garden has now made it to my 'dream garden' list and I think I will keep carefully prodding hubby about this one. Perhaps in a few years we could have a really neat gated, fenced in garden like this one.



This unique sitting area at a home in town especially caught my eye. I loved how they just raised it one step to take it off of ground level and it was just enough to create something different and serene. Of course, it also helped that this area looked out into another garden where there was a small fountain in the corner of their yard that gurgled softly. The only places I can picture this in our yard would be so infested with mosquitoes that we'd never get to sit there and enjoy it. Ah, a girl can dream.



This garden I appreciated because of the height of the flowers. Coneflowers and daylilies filled this garden and nestled there amidst them all was a simple birdbath/fountain. Very cute.



Remember that envy I mentioned earlier? Well, you can't help but have it when you go to strangers houses and you see so many neat ideas. So I took a few photos for the ideas and also to inspire my creative and handy husband for future projects. Yup, he really likes that. Well, he doesn't mind really. It's just that his list is so long of 'cute projects' that I have for him that he could spend until well beyond retirement age fulfilling them all.

The cascading and vining of this ivy over a homemade arbor was especially breathtaking. I can easily see several spaces in our yard that I would love to see this type of arbor.



I do think that this bench would make a very nice Christmas gift. Don't you?



At the end of the day, it was the perfect way to spend some mother-daughter time. We both really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Mom!

We're Talking Apps

Although I am in no way a gadget junkie, I must admit that the iPod Touch I received for Christmas has got to be one of my favorite gifts EVER! Initially I thought it would be useful and fun for music or even the occasional check on random Internet browsing, but not any more.

There is a whole other world when you start checking out all of the applications that are available. Yes, some are just plain silly and a waste of time, but others are pure genius and useful in so many ways. While there are probably thousands out there, I mostly opt for the free ones. Let something be said for getting a freebie. Am I right ladies? So, I think to date I have only actually purchased one or two apps on my Touch. My money can really be used in so many other ways that I choose not to squander it in this area. That's just me.

Any way, my little gizmo has become a family too-often-used 'toy' tool that we all share. Since it is Mommy's for the most part, the children know that when they do ask for another app to be downloaded that they may be asked to discard several others they no longer use. Yup, we change apps about that often.

Of course, I enjoy checking on my facebook as well as Google wherever I am in our home from my Touch. Maybe it's too convenient? I've read from many bloggers of their favorite apps, so I thought I would pass on a few of mine as well: Tap Farm, Tap Jungle, Doodle Bowl, iMissal. My new favorite as of last week is MyNetDiary. It is so handy to keep track of my calories (not that I am really counting, but just becoming more aware of my intake), water consumption, exercise, my meds. and vitamins and a daily analysis. Again, this one is free and is very useful!

So, what are some of your favorite apps? Please leave a comment and share. I'd love to find even more fun ones out there!

What I Learned This Mother's Day

(Or otherwise titled "What I Should've Already Known")

We have a tradition around here for Mother's Day and it usually involves my dear husband preparing me a wonderful breakfast/brunch and slaving away over the stove. Hours in the kitchen, most often all of the work done completely by himself. Some years it is served in bed and I am instructed to stay in bed and sleep in, but other years I can't stand waiting upstairs in our bedroom and usually slip off to the shower and eventually emerge down the stairs.

My husband is thoughtful and he's also a very good cook, so I'm lucky. And I know that. But each year I can't help but gear toward Mother's Day as if it really is all about ME and is my only day to do as I wish. Selfish, I know. Therein lies the inevitable let-down that occurs most every year.
I build up images of obedient children, no quarreling, everything for mama. I realize this is very unrealistic. And ultimately, expectations are dashed and despite my husband's effort it is just another day.

And then I get to thinking. I realize the error of my ways and that each day is one that I have been granted to be a mom to my children, to nurture and teach, guide and love, discipline and encourage them. On that second Sunday of May, it is a day no different, but perhaps one to be more grateful that I was given the gift of motherhood at all. Mothering is hard work and demands that we deny our own selves many times daily in order to care for the little ones we have been granted to guard. Together, we bring one another toward heaven.

In the end, on that celebrated Mother's Day, what we did really doesn't matter that much. If I receive a meal someone else prepared and put their hard labor into and served it with love, I should be blessed enough. Thankful enough. And I am.

Of course, if you add in a couple of cards and a few heartfelt gifts, I count myself abundantly blessed. I just wish I'd realized all of this two days ago. I maybe would've appreciated yesterday a little more.


Still...It was a good day. See? I even have photos to prove it...


Homemade with love: cinnamon rolls, egg bake, fruit & yogurt parfaits

Our Mother's Day Family Outing

The Climb

The View

Cute Kids We Met Along The Way

And Their Nice Parents

You can't go to the Peak without stopping to see your mama, just down the gravel road. And you can't go through Mother's Day without visiting your heavenly mama.



Jonah had a little offering to leave Mary. He was so proud of that dandelion.

I hope that each of you had a wonderful Mother's Day, no matter how ordinary or how special your day turned out!

Hi Lo: April 30th

HI's:

1. We enjoyed a model train show on Saturday as a family. It was in a city about an hour away, so we combined the trip with a whole lot of errands too. As we guessed, Jonah totally loved all the trains that surrounded him. We all did, really. My engineer boy also discovered the play area with the wooden trains and we spent a good portion of time playing there.




2. On Tuesday evening, Lily participated in her first piano recital. We were so proud of her and couldn't believe we had a daughter old enough to be performing! After only two months of lessons, she played every note perfectly for both of her songs, didn't appear nervous and did exactly as instructed when it was her turn. What a pro!

3. After arriving home after the recital, Lily asked me to give one last tug to her loose front tooth and ploop! out it came! She looks so darn cute with her little gap.



4. I did some shopping for summer clothes for myself on Saturday as well. Since I am slightly smaller than I was last summer and things are just fitting differently these days, I needed to make a few purchases to include in my wardrobe. Best part was that I used my money that I earned from the garage sale the previous Saturday and got a ton of great deals, so it was almost like FREE clothes!


LO's:

1. Yesterday wasn't the best of days in the mommy department. Ever have those? It was just a rough day with the kids all around. Not sure if it was the dreary/rainy weather or if it was a delay of the full moon effect. Either way, *yuck*


How was your week? I hope you are enjoying spring time, wherever you are.

Notes From Saturday

On Saturday, I attended the local annual Women's Conference. It's an event I look forward to every year since I go with my mom and a number of friends.

Although I thoroughly enjoy it each year, I do have a few gripes. I wish that it weren't quite as long. This mama doesn't spend that much time in one day sitting on her fanny, so it's rather rough on the behind to stay alert and attentive all day long when the 'ol fanny is aching!

My other is that although the talks are wonderful and I gain a lot from them, I do wish there was maybe one less. I always run out of time to catch up with all of my old friends and acquaintances. There just is not enough time for breaks, lunch and small talk. We are women after all. We've got a lot to catch up on each year!

I didn't get nearly enough time to talk with dear Jamie or love on that dear Sweetie Pie (and if you're wondering, yes, Sweetie Pie is really THAT CUTE in person!!).

That aside, I've decided to post a few tidbits from my notes. (Hope this helps fill in what you missed, Jamie!)

*There is a difference between a life of affectivity and effectivity. Affectivity involves rest; effectivity involves unrest. How much time am I spending working on my effectiveness and not on being affective/affirming in my life? How do I live an affirming life?

* The forever to-do list in life, in motherhood creates plenty of ways to be effective, but the list and the things are always there to be done. How often do I start in one room and clean up room after room, only to begin all over again? It can wait until later/tomorrow. Instead, spend the time being affirming/affective with your children/family.

* Learn to just 'be'. Wherever it is, a room in your home, the garden, the park. Pick a place and just 'be'. Be aware of your surroundings and just sit in them. It's a lesson in being affective.

* Most often your husband and children are more than ready to let you women be god for them. They would like nothing better than for you to do everything for them and be everything for them! And honestly, don't you all try and be a god for them? Doing everything for everyone. Pleasing everyone all of the time. But when are you filled and taken care of?

*Be an authentic woman. Don't be afraid to be who you are. Be authentic to God in prayer. Be free to be who you are in God's presence (your prayertime). You cannot hide from Him. You don't need to paint everything beautiful and just come to Him acting like everything is fine...pretty your face, bring Him brownies, show Him only your best, etc. He's already seen who you are. He's seen your brokenness and sadness. He already knows you are not perfect.

* Four Ways to live as God's Beloved
1. Surround yourself with positive friendships where you are encouraged.
2. Pray.
3. Be gentle with yourself.
4. Be an Affirmer - Be a Blesser.



These are just my tidbits from my notes/memory. There have been other reminders flooding my thoughts since Saturday, more thoughts for my own improvement. It was a blessed day for sure.

We did miss dear Shirley, but I know she was watching over all of us that day. Please keep her family in your prayers as they mourn the loss of their beloved wife and mother.

Love This Author

I find myself regularly (and especially during the winter months) reaching for a good book. Admittedly, sometimes it's awfully tough to find an author who takes the moral high-road and sticks to just good 'ol fashion, well written fiction. You know, something that doesn't involve innuendos, obscenities or other moral indiscretions.

I enjoy reading and always have since my childhood. Although my quiet reading times are fewer and far between since motherhood, I like my time to be used wisely. I want a page-turner, something that I want to come back to enjoy.

I have found that the author, Richard Paul Evans, always delivers. His writing appeals to my tastes and each of his novels inspires and gives me that 'feel-good' that I need after a busy day at home. I have been a loyal follower of his and eagerly anticipate each of his releases.

I received his latest, The Christmas List, as a gift and while the four of us spent a weekend sick with the flu it allowed me extra time to read it. Again, Mr. Evans did not disappoint. After his obituary is mistakenly printed in the local newspaper, James Kier realizes how many people wished he were gone and that others' perceptions of his life was not at all what he expected. He realizes that he hurt many people in his life all out of his pursuit of money and prestige. He decides to try and make amends to a list of people who he mislead and disregarded while merely 'taking care of business' and rising to fame.

This book was a reminder of the need for amends and forgiveness while journeying through life and that the decisions we make affect so many different lives.

I highly encourage giving his novels a try. I'm sure you can find a whole treasure trove of them at your local library.



How about you? What do you enjoy reading? Who is your favorite author?

Celebrate!

Two years ago I began my existance in this secret society and that sometime seemingly only exists in my mere imagination. A simple member of the community in Blogville/BlogWorld.

I started out needing a place of hope, a place to write and share, a place all my own. It was here that I hoped to find my strength to continue delighting in the Lord with a Hopeful Heart. The day I began was intentional. It was not a random day to just start up a blog. While already in the midst of an infertility diagnosis, I chose to work on nurturing my hopeful heart here on a day that my family already held as a day of hope in our home. Every December 17th is remembered and commemorated as we honor our Christmas Child who was due to be born this day. We remember our child, Natalie Noel, who was miscarried at just nine weeks.

Look how far we've come. Although some things remain the same, others do not. I have been able to open my heart and share it with more of you than I would have imagined. In doing so, more often than not, I have received great healing and strength.

And the wonderful friends I have met! And how much I have been encouraged and supported in my journey of faith, motherhood, womanhood and home education! So much more than I had imagined!

Thank you for visiting me here and honoring me with your presence. Thank you for finding what I write interesting enough for you to comment. Thank you for your generous prayers. Without readers, I wouldn't have as much of a purpose in my typing. I'll keep praying for you, and you keep praying for me. And one day, just maybe we'll get to meet in the real world outside of a computer screen.

My Birthday = Giveaway

It's my birthday and I'm 31! And while I wrote this last year, behind that reminiscence was a whole boatload of fear as I turned 30. Something about that number really bothered me and I suddenly felt 'old' and unhappy that life wasn't exactly what I had pictured for myself at that age. But really, it was all about my home not being filled with more children as I had envisioned at age 3-0.

I quickly got over that and moved on. This 30-thing wasn't really all that bad. I have learned to embrace my thirties and to set forward on my journey. Wherever that may take me and my family. God has been good. My life has been richly blessed.

October is a great month for a birthday. I've always thought that. Through the years I've been happy where my birthday falls. Another month and it will be Thanksgiving and in another two months, Christmas. It's a good run. This year I've found out that I also celebrate with some pretty wonderful ladies, Margaret and Tracy. And my IRL friend, Michelle too! That's some good company to be in!

In order to celebrate with me, I figure I'll give you something too! What a deal, huh? So, I'm going to start by throwing out a disclaimer here. The gift is homemade, however, please understand that by no means am I a professional/flawless seamstress of any kind! That being said, here's what I'm giving away:

A set of 4 of my (reversible) seasonal table runners!

Each table runner features a different holiday on each side:

Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Easter
Patriotic
Fall
Christmas
Winter

Here are the fabrics I will be using:

The final side is your choice of one of these:



Realizing that not everyone has the same taste in style or similar decor in their home, if you win I may be persuaded *wink* to accommodate you for the last side in a different fabric.

I will sew them up promptly and send them out to the winner. If this giveaway intrigues you, please leave a comment on this post and I'll enter your name. You may enter until Wednesday at noon and I'll announce the winner later that day. Send your friends on over who may be interested and want the chance to become a winner!

New In Town

Over the weekend I watched the movie, New In Town, from Netflix. I'll admit, I am not a big movie watcher. I just have always felt that I've got better things to do and would rather not waste time watching a movie. That's just me. And, if I do sit down for a movie I want to really be into it and enjoy it. I'm glad I didn't wait for Reed to watch this movie with me. I don't think he'd like it.

I struggled with the plot. In that, there really wasn't one and it took half way through the movie to really feel like it was progressing somewhere.

The movie jacket says this:
'The weather isn't the only drastic change for high-paid consultant Lucy Hill when she's sent from her home base in South Beach, Florida, to a small Minnesota town to improve the productivity of a local manufacturing plant. The town's residents also take some getting used to, especially the ruggedly handsome union boss who's doing his darnedest to make sure that Lucy doesn't cut any jobs'

Literally, that is the entire plot line. Yes, it becomes a story of love and friendship and a change of heart too, but not really enough content for me to feel like I'd really need to watch this movie again. Maybe it's just me.

Uf-dah. It was also filled with A LOT of Midwest/Minnesotan stereotypes, with the main focus on our Minnesotan 'accent'. I'll admit that it did have a few really good one-liners that gave me a chuckle and were cute. But really, Hollywood, we don't REALLY talk like that. Right? (Or do we??)

While the Minnesotan humor was cute, it was repetitive after a few times. Sorry to say, this movie just wasn't for me.

Hi Lo: October 16th

HI's:

1. Reed's family holds an annual family hayride in October and we had that last weekend. Not everyone can attend, but those of us who do usually have a pretty good time. We finish the evening with a potluck too. Good conversation and fun. A niece of ours was home from college for the weekend, so I was able to chat with her. That's always a hoot. She makes me laugh all the time. Thanks Hannah!

2. Due to Columbus Day, Reed was home from work on Monday. I scheduled meeting a new friend for coffee that morning. Good conversation, good coffee and good break for mommy.

3. I got back on the exercise wagon that I fell off of some time ago. It helped me remember how good I do feel when I make the time for it. I need to also remember that although I don't need to do it for weight loss, I need to do it for continued health. Hopefully I can get back into a good routine of it again.

4. We started our Little Flowers group this week! Inspired by Jessica all last year when she shared about their group, I decided to offer it for our homeschool group. I couldn't have been nearly as efficient without Jessica's help. Thanks Jessica! I'm leading the group and we only have 6 members this year, but I think all of us had a good time. I was so busy I only got a photo or two, maybe I can capture a few more next meeting.



LO's:

1. We're receiving SNOW here off and on this week. *yuck* It's always WAY TOO EARLY for it, especially when it arrives before my birthday later this month. I'm still hoping for one more warm up yet. I'm probably crazy for being so naive.

2. Under that snow are still a ton of leaves that need to be dealt with and my perennials still aren't covered. I'm hoping that the possible forecast of a warm up for the weekend happens and I can at least take care of those two projects. (If not, I'll be the crazy lady out in the yard shoveling snow away in order to get to the leaves and plants so that I can cross those jobs off my fall to-do list!)

3. Due to the colder weather, I decided it was time to put the flannel sheets on our bed. And that's all I have to say about that.



How was your week? What were your Highs and Lows? Colleen shares hers every week too! Read them here.

Have a great weekend!