Singing in the Brain

Time Flies...

2010-03-04T13:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's been a little while. I am thinking of beginning again with the blog world. Starting over. New look, new attitude. So don't totally give up on me, but I am not sure what to do. So until I get a new look, probably won't blog. I am hoping a new look will help me think of things to post about, besides weight loss, or the lack thereof.

So bear with, and we will see...

on the blog again...

2010-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I know this was supposed to be an at least almost every day thing...and now more than a week has passed! A week of good and bad, and trying to continue to cut my portions smaller and smaller, so that i can lose more than 2 lbs!

I have had a couple of days where I have just basically said, I don't care. I want to eat, and I don't care if I am hungry or not. So I ate. I am trying to stop that, obviously that is not good. But really, sometimes I am so frustrated at myself and at having this battle at all. I am also frustrated by how fast the weight came off so long ago, and now doesn't want to budge. I get frustrated at how gung ho i was years ago,and now that i need to lose weight for more than just vanity, but to be healthier, I seem to be less motivated! What kind of whacked thinking is that?

No real insight on these questions, except I am still running to food too often. Although i have had some sucesses with praying and just saying, "Lord, i am not hungry, but i am gonna get up and get that bag of chips if I keep thinking about it. Please get my mind off the chips, and on you instead. Help me to not go get that bag. Take the desire away for what i don't really need, and fill it with you instead." You know that really works, I just don't use it enough.

I have done better the last 2 days or so, gone to bed without eating after supper, and not overeating during the day. Little sucesses...

Hope everyone is doing well! OH, my bible reading is going great! i am on schedule, and really love reading, some nights i read ahead to see what happens, when I have read these stories so many times before. The hunger for it is different, and I am loving that so much! Tell me, how is your reading going?

Catch up

2010-01-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

I have missed a couple days, when I am ready to blog, barrett is usually working on something. But I have captured the computer for a few minutes, so here is a quick update.

I have done okay, but only okay. I am having to really really re-realize that it only takes a bit of food to fill me up. And that I am still doing too much grazing. I haven't been so full I am in pain since I started this, but can still tell that I am eating too much. So I am going to try to cut my food in half of half if we are out, and just really small portions at home.

I am trying to not weight until the end of January, the real way i will know if I am losing is my jeans fitting!

I did walk on the Treadmill today, which is something I haven't done for a long long time. and I am hoping to begin walking with lisa after work again very very soon! She has been out of town, and then the holidays before that. Excuses, Excuses!

I have a long distance partner in this, so hi to you! Hope things are going well, and that you are getting your walking in! I envy that, it's one of the things I love about New York--walking everywhere. I am going to start walking around our neighborhood since it is a bit warmer for as long as it lasts!

See you all tomorrow!

and day three

2010-01-11T18:54:00.000-08:00

an okay day today, not to much really to blog about. Got Barrett up, made him breakfast, and went back to bed til 10:20. Then sat around having some decaf, and ate lunch at 11 or so.

I don't want to turn this into a food diary but sometimes it helps me to actually look at what I have eaten during the day. Makes me stop and say Whoa, really?

I have struggled a bit today with boredom eating, just passing thru and grabbing something in the kitchen, but have definetely done better than most days.

Not feeling overly full right now, which is usually how I end my days. That a plus, right?

I have to just go each day as it comes, not think about how long this may take. It's not gonna magically melt off, is it?

Well, I need to get the last of the laundry hung up, and get my Bible reading done...

2010-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

so today was a better day eating wise than yesterday. Didn't overeat at all, and no snacking really...a few cream puffs at the dessert after church. Of course an afternoon nap helps the not eating thing!

We had great services today, I love our church so much! God has really blessed us this year, and shown us that we are moving the way He wants us too! Looking forward to great things in 2010!

I am off tomorrow, that will be a real test for me. No one else to see me eat, and I tend to overeat on those occasions! But now that I have somewhat of an accountability with the blog, I am feeling more confident that I don't Have to overeat...I can do this!

Have a great night!

Ham and Cool Ranch Doritos

2010-01-09T19:41:00.000-08:00

It has been so long since I last blogged anything of substance. Halloween is fun and all, but not anything to think about deeply. I haven't had much to say, although much has happened in the last year, so very much! Sky got married, Barrett turned 16, we got a great son-in-law, Jon and Bec came home for a visit, Min and Perry are awaiting visas to head to the Philippines, a trip back to Guatemala, and more.

Oh, and I have gained about 10 lbs since I last blogged about losing 30 before Sky's wedding.

So, if you don't want to hear anymore about my weight issues, then stop here. Because I am so tired of this extra weight. And I feel like my only chance is to write about my struggle(at least that is what it feels like) with weight loss so that I can put how I feel on "paper" so to speak.

So each day I want to just let anyone interested how I've done. Not a food diary, and not a whine fest, but a true picture in the day of the life of someone addicted to food. Cause I really think I am. Addicted to food. I crave it, I eat it when I don't need it, I think about it, and I am always in some way, dealing with it. So this is it people, I am finished being this big, Rubenesque if you will. Not for my husband, who loves me no matter what size I am, but for me. I hate having to buy bigger and bigger clothes. Hate not having jeans that fit. I am finished with hating how I look, but not doing something about it but complain. And I know my family is tired of the complaining.

I purposely didn't read my last blog on my weight, because I am sure I am saying some of the same things I said the last time. But no matter, this is the time for me. Me. I am going to do this, with the Lord's help, cause really what I am craving is Him, and filling up with something else.

So, lets start with today. Great morning and afternoon. Little breakfast, then an orange for a snack at Sky's and popcorn for lunch at the movies. No extra butter, only cause they didn't have any. But not even alot of popcorn, cause it wasn't the best I've ever had. The getcha came at home after running by the store to get stuff for dinner. We had cream tacos, which i am not super fond of, so didn't eat that. But, I also got a ham for lunch tomorrow, and had a few pieces of that, along with too many Cool Ranch Doritos. I ate aimlessly while cooking the cream tacos, and of course before I knew it, i am past full. Not good. That's the thing for me, constant grazing, and not paying attention.

So, it begins. Read or not, that is totally up to you. But I will be blogging each day hopefully, so if you get bored...I will most likely be here!

oh, I am reading thru the Bible in chronological order. In Job right now. The great thing is, I am staying with it, even tho we are only on day 9, that is good for me! And, I am anxious to read each day...what will I see today? That's a nice change for me too.

Well, that's it for today...see you tomorrow.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T15:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it is 5:43 and we just had our first Trick or Treater...Mark is looking for the clicker to keep track. Last year was 303...hope we have enough candy!

well, since chad and skyler are here and chad had a piece of candy, we are counting them! Up to 3.

Up to 31 @ 6;31...of course my sister's kids and the Shelby kids were here and they look great as the Flinstones!

6:44--51! Gotta love this!

6:53--we are up to 62!

We are up to 107 at 7:04

7:15 and up to 127! A lot of the parents are dressed up too!

Alright folks, we are at 173! I mean, 177 and it is only 7:31...

7:38 and we have 199.

7:50 and so far...229! OH my, I love this!

Lights out at 8:30! We had 276 Trick or Treaters tonight!

2009-04-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Found this after following a link from Crystals facebook on another song from this guy. FUNNY!

Whenever I need a good cry...

2009-04-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just need a good cry? The other night, I think after small group, we were all talking about Rachel McAdams, who is the star of one of my favorite movies, The Notebook. Mark saw her in Vegas, and we were trying to tell someone who she was...well, anyway, they had never seen the movie, and we were trying to tell them how good it was, it was so sad, perfect for whenever you need a good cry. I was saying that whenever I need a cry I know there are certain movies I can get, and they will, no matter how many times I have seen it, make me cry! "Why would I want to do that?" was the response. Now, I mean no slight to the one who said it, I was just surprised that someone might not ever feel that need. To just have a really good, long, get it out of your system crying jag. For no apparent reason either. I mean, if I had a reason, I wouldn't need the movie right? So of course that got me to thinking, what are my favorite "make me cry" movies? There is the obvious of course, the notebook and steel magnolias, which are KILLER cry movies, and just all around wonderful. The last few minutes of The Notebook are really all I need, and I'm off. The scene in Steel Magnolias in the cemetery is guaranteed to do it. One of my favorite movies is (for some strange reason), Selena. Again, sometimes all i need is the last few minutes. I have never been sure why I like this movie so much, but every time it is on, if I happen upon it, i cannot turn the channel. I have got to finish it!

My Girl, funny funny, and yet, one that will bring the tears for sure. Fried Green Tomatoes, for a few reasons makes me laugh and cry, from the beginning to the end.

And, also, a walk to remember is a good cry movie, so we keep it around. The last movie I could think of was Up close and Personal with Michelle Pfieffer and Robert Redford. Man, he is something else. I went to go see it with friends way back when, and we were all devastated at the end. Can't remember if we saw it coming, but we sure cried buckets!

So, what are your favorite cry movies? Guys, you may not have any, but maybe you know what makes your wife cry? Or your sister, friend, whoever? Tell me, surely I am not the only one who does this?

2009-03-08T15:14:00.001-07:00

In about an hour, we will get started with small groups. Friends will begin to arrive, dessert will be shared, and we will watch our dvd and discuss. I love Sunday nights.
But right now is pretty good too. The house is clean, at least most of it. Lauren is bringing dessert (as she does each week, thanks Lauren!) and so the tea and lemonade are made, and the milk bought. Pretty much everything is ready.
But what makes it most special is my family is here. Skyler and Chad are sitting in the red chair, both out like a light. Barrett is under cover snoozing on the couch, and Mark is either sleeping or watching tv in the bedroom. so even tho we aren't talking, everything is quiet, I love that everyone is here together. That doesn't happen every day, and will be farther apart once sky and chad are married I'm sure.
This is when I am most content. I love being by myself, and until just a few months ago, fought hard for alone time. But I find more and more that I love being around my family, whether we are interacting, or everyone doing their own thing, it is the being together that I love. don't get me wrong, when the arguing starts, as it does naturally, I am back to wanting the aloneness. But even in the arguing, there is the moment of making up, knowing that no matter how much we get on each others nerves, there is nothing like family. Knowing someone always has your best interest at heart, they've got your back.
so I am cherishing this moment, looking forward to the evening, thankful to God for such a beautiful, wonderful, ordinary day.

2009-03-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has been so long...

Oh my I am so ready for Spring

My husband is the best thing that ever happened to me

Ever really really miss something silly, like a cup of coffee?

Today I get to go to the Esther Bible study. I love it.

How many licks DOES it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

Is a tootsie pop even chocolate?

Not much longer til skyler's wedding...88 days

God is good.

And the 5th pregnant person is...

2009-02-02T14:43:00.000-08:00

Well, had to get your attention somehow. I don't really know anyone else that is pregnant. It's just been so long since I blogged, I thought I had better come up with a great title.

First things first. No new weight loss. 8-10 lbs so far, depending on the day. I could say its due to "female issues" at this time of my life...or that I am taking it slow so the results will stick. Truth is, I just eat more than I should. Still.

Wedding plans are taking off. Only 2 days less than 4 months to go, and it is going fast. Fun Fun. Got my dress(es) it is between 2, but we got such an amazing deal on them that we will decide for sure later. And I can still keep the loser for something else, even tho I hardly ever wear dresses.

CD sales went great. We just about have Barrett paid for and can begin to finish paying for Mark. However, if you are reading this and want one, we have plenty. Just let me know!

I am getting to go on the trip also, someone(thank you so much!!!) paid for me to go, I can hardly believe it, and am so excited.

Jon and Bec and kids will be here for the wedding...you have read that on her blog i am sure, we are so so happy. Can't wait to see them.

Nothing new really, just was afraid I would get the boot for not blogging in so long.

I am ready for spring.

Mark is finally home...

2008-11-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to have Mark home after his week long, long journey...I can't wait to start on Admin's 7 day challenge.

Halloween...2

2008-10-31T16:20:00.000-07:00

So, it's our 2nd Halloween at 558 Peacock. Couldn't let the night go by without keeping count of our trick-or-treaters! I am as excited as I was last year...so here goes!

6:23--the count is 5 so far.

6:40--we are up to 35

6:48--42!

6:50--56!

6:57--we are up to 81!

7:10--oh my! 135. What if we run out of candy?

7:11--147. We are gonna run out of candy.

7:36--189.I am holding Naomi, and she is not real happy about that.

7:20--154. Some one is handing out bags of chips. I wanna go to that house!

7:44--213.

7:47--224

7:57---239. Way more than last year when we only had 168!

i went back and read last years blog, i gave much more detail about costumes, and other trivia. Too busy this year, sorry!

8:05--262--lots of kids just came to see Barrett

8:16--281 and counting!

8:29--289. it is slowing down, we may be done for the night.

9:06--299 and we seem to be done...just one more....

9:16--303!!!!!

my kids

2008-10-15T17:54:00.001-07:00

here are photos of my kids. Can you believe it?

Facebook

2008-10-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

So I have a facebook. I have been looking at photos on everyone elses and i don't have any on mine. I even own a camera, but never take pictures! I think I might start, but sometimes it seems pointless when Mark takes so many, not to mention our families pro photog chad, and lisa, and tiffany, and crystal, and rachel, and...anyway, i should really either get on this bandwagon, or get off. That camera is not doing me any good in my purse, now, is it?

I hate winter. I am not even really fond of fall. I hate that it is dark so early in the evening and when we get up. I hate that it will soon be cold. I am however thankful that we have had such great football weather. But really, honestly, i could live somewhere sunny and warm all year long, and not miss the seasons changing. I would love it. Now in complete contrast to what I have just said, I am also kinda in the mood for a thunderstorm. Nothing severe, just some thunder and lightening and rain. A nice calm storm. Just enough to get me past this "I need a thunderstorm" feeling. Does anyone else ever get that feeling? It's right up there with "I need to strangle a cat right this minute" which I have never done, nor will I. Just sometimes I feel like I might need to.

Well, dishes are waiting in the sink. It is only 7:52 pm, but I feel like it must be at least 11. It's that early darkness thing.

oh, by the way, I am at 139. slowly but surely, feasting on Him.

I don't want to talk about it...

2008-10-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

but i said I would, so here goes: I am still eating too much. Obviously, since I have not lost even one pound in over 3 weeks. That is ridiculous, and I am embarrassed to even be admitting it. It feels worse than admitting my weight. I know this is really a trust issue, can God really satisfy me like I fool myself into thinking food does? Are a few more bites really gonna hurt? Do I really want to give up this part of me that I am so strongly holding on to? I want to say yes, yes, of course yes. But my refusal to give up even a little bit more food would tell a different story I think.

I have done fairly well with less snacking. But I still eat too much at night. I don't snack constantly at night like I used to but still eat too much dinner. I am a night eater, and it is so hard for me to give up what I have done for so long. It is like being addicted to a drug. I know it is bad, I know it is not helping me at all, in fact it is hurting me, both physically and emotionally, but still I pursue it like I can't live without it. I am comfortable with feeling just a little too full. It is the feeling I have lived with for so many years. Painful, sure sometimes, but it is not as "scary" as leaving the food behind and actually doing this. I feel stupid even blogging about food this way. I want it to just be will power. But it isn't. It is being willing to give up what I have given into for years. Being willing to submit, trust and move forward, not just leaving food on my plate.

I know if you are a naturally thin eater, you do not understand this at all. Food is not a problem for you. Be glad, but perhaps you have other vices. Smoking, drinking, shopping, it is the feeling that you can't let go of whatever it is, you need it. Well, i need food, but not too much food. I am a person who wants to know "how much an I eat today and still lose" not "how little food do I actually need to eat today?" I tend to mourn the food I don't get to eat...instead of celebrating. Sad huh?

Well, I am sure I have said enough for today. I will try to blog more about this journey. I am certainly wandering in the desert right now...knowing the promised land is in sight, but scared to trust the One who has promised it to me.

Bad week

2008-09-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

I told you I would be honest thru this. So, it has been a bad week, eating wise. I have had some stressful situations this week, and even when I have been aware that my first thought was, what can I eat, I followed thru on that thought way too often. So, no weight lost, and I really should be in a third week of steady weight loss. Just because I don't snack doesn't mean I can still eat the same amount of food. The only way to lose the weight, is to stop putting the food in my mouth. Only fill the tank, not try to fill the reserve too.

I have much appreciated the encouraging words from those of you who have mentioned it. I don't only want to do this for myself, I want to be able to encourage others with this, and I can't do that and stay at the same weight.

So, I won't say I will start again tomorrow, I will start now. Believe me, the fact that it is 9 pm usually wouldn't stop me from snacking.

Also, I am positive that the itrain 30 days bible study will be a huge help. I always do better with my quiet time when I am being accountable to someone...and who better than the blog world? If you have not signed up yet to do this, you should.

So no new weight to post...still between 142 and 145, depending on the day. But enough of that, I am going to do this...only with HIS help tho. I obviously don't have the will on my own. But that is probably a good thing for me to remember---his will, not mine.

142

2008-08-23T08:31:00.001-07:00

that's the lowest weight this week, however, since weight can go up and down by four pounds a day, not such a big deal. i said i would be honest in this endeavor...so i will. this week has been good and bad, some times eating til full, and not eating when i am not hungry is easy. sometimes, not so much. i do find myself being a little more picky about what i am eating, at least most of the time. but i have definitely had my moments of stress eating. and realizing how often that is my first thought during a stressful time--what can i eat?

so here are some of the principles of a thin eater. You only eat when hungry, and my signal is a growl. I can talk myself into "feeling" hungry, but my sure signal is a growl...so that is what i need to wait for. You also stop when you feel full. I seem to give a deep breath when i am full...and sometimes this is only after a few bites. And that usually seems quite unfair to me. Really? Three bites? That's all??? Which brings me to the next thing. Eat slowly, and in small bites. That way you don't feel cheated after a small amount of food. And start with a small amount of food. cut your regular portion size in half. most of the time you still won't really need even that much food, but if you do eat all of the smaller portion, it is still half of what you would normally put on a plate. at a restaurant, immediately cut food in half and get a to go box. out of sight, out of mouth. Try to think of food as gas for your body. You only need so much to get to the next stop. Fill the tank, and then leave the pump. You don't want to put in more than you need.

I also am quite aware that I am a mourner of the food i don't get to eat. perhaps we will talk about that another time...this is getting long.

Off to the bridal fair, lot's of cake there. But honestly, since it is something sweet, i won't have a lot of trouble turning some down. However, if we were trying to pick potato chips or something salty, i might be in trouble. that too is a discussion for another day.

145

2008-08-15T05:29:00.000-07:00

that's what i weigh. 145. i joked last night about trying to type such a big number. i even thought about typing it out...one hundred forty five. but that makes it look even bigger. i also thought about not admitting what my weight is, i would wait until i lost to my goal, and then announce "i lost 35 pounds" or whatever. and perhaps you are wishing i would have. but it seems more shocking to put my actual weight in writing, in green and white. and i really feel like i need a shock to get going on this. because there is a part of me that is saying, "really??? how have i gained this weight? how can i weigh more than i ever have, except when i was pregnant?"

if i am honest with myself, i know exactly how. 12 years ago, i weighed 108. i kept that for almost 3 years...not a long time, i know. but when my grandpa passed away in 96, i did not want to stay with the principle of only eating until full. i missed him so much, there was so much good food around my grandma's house from friends at their church...and somehow i convinced myself that the food was a comfort, that stuffing my face made me miss my grandpa just a little less. that started a cycle of eating constantly, starting in the early evening and going until i went to bed. i am still fighting that cycle, because now it is done without even thinking of it. i just eat. now i don't always seek comfort from food, i just consume it without thinking.

so, now here i am. i have until may 1 to reach my goal, cause i will need to be at my goal to get a really cool dress for skyler's wedding. and i don't want to be unhealthy anymore. my hips hurt all the time, and i know that a big(no pun intended) part is my weight on them. and, mostly i am tired of complaining about being fat, but not doing anything to lose the weight.

so here we go...next blog i will try to give a short overview about the principles i am using to lose the weight...not a diet, a change in lifestyle. so, so do-able. but only if i am consistent, and learn to lean on God, to seek comfort from Him, to be constantly aware of Him, and not use food as a substitute for what He can, and wants, to give me.

Just another day in paradise

2008-08-14T14:43:00.000-07:00

so i was gonna get all mushy and post a video of a song i heard today: phil vassar's "just another day in paradise". but when i went to youtube---the embedding had been disabled. i hate that. oh well, catchy little country tune, not new, but it made me think of hillenblog. one line says "well, it's two hearts, one dream, wouldn't trade it for anything". i feel like that is us...and i really wouldn't trade it for anything. maybe it's coacher's blog about his wife, or planning out sky & chad's wedding, or the upcoming nuptials of mandy & bradley, or maybe realizing how fast the last 19 years have passed. whatever, it made me think that i really do like that guy.

another thing i like is all lower case. i am sure it is driving someone crazy out there, and it may not last long, but mandy and bradley's invitations are all lower case, and i like it.

i will be blogging more often, but you may not wanna tune in. I am gonna be losing some weight, hopefully, before sky's wedding, and i have decided to blog about it. maybe putting it all out there will inspire me to keep with it. it will not be pretty, but it will be honest. you've been warned.

barrett started high school today. i prayed for him all day. we start at 7:30 now, so up at 6 and out the door by 7:05. killer. but so far so good!! he gave me a hug a bit ago and said mom, high school is okay. so at least the first day went well, and we can look forward to a good year.

well, omelets for dinner, eating only til full, with good friends over to share. love it.

Oh my, oh my!

2008-07-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it's cheesy...but I have always loved this song...and I am so proud of Skyler, and so excited about her engagement to Chad. We really do feel blessed, and are looking forward to the next 10 months or so of planning!!

wordle

2008-07-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

I got nothin

2008-07-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight's dinner: Mozzarella Chicken(Sunday Dinner vol. 1),spaghetti noodles, steam in bag vegetables(broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), salad(spinach, the spinach/strawberry salad dressing, and pears), and rolls(sister shubert's dinner rolls). Seemed to go over quite well with everyone.

I cut some lettuce out of the garden tonight. Too bad it was after dinner.

We are watching Last Comic Standing. Way too long of a show.

Barrett and Chad are going on a canoe trip with some of the guys. They leave tomorrow and get back Saturday. Sky is spending tomorrow night at her friends house. So it is almost like practice for empty nest syndrome. Except we are excited.

I really don't have anything to blog about...but i hate seeing the 5 weeks after my name. Now I will be before Skyler. Not that it's a competition. But I am ahead now.

Well, that's it. Nothing to speak of, but a blog none the less.

Those were the days

2008-06-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

I found this while looking at pictures from 2003. Can you believe this is only 5 years ago? So cute then, so cute now....

This is Barrett's favorite comic.

2008-05-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

The reinactment part is kinda irritating at times, but if you will listen to the whole thing, he is very funny.

Feel free to add to the list...

2008-05-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

S-smile, sarcastic, sensitive, smart, silly, sweet, sunshine, singer

K-kidder, kind, kettlecorn,

Y-young, yardage, yuletide

L-loyal, loving, little, likeable, lovely,

E-enthusiastic, eloquent, edifying, entertaining

R-reader, righteous, real,

It is hard to put you into words. You are everything I ever dreamed my daughter would be, yet so much more. You are secure in who you are, even when you are not. You are a trend setter, and WANT to be different, something I never wanted to be. You have gone from a baby who smiled all the time, could entertain yourself, and who loved music, to a beautiful young woman who still smiles most of the time:), can still be by yourself and not be lonely, who is the best singer I know, and it is not only me who feels that way.

I have always told you that we were not friends yet. That if we were friends, I was not being the parent I should be. That someday, when you were grown up, we would be friends. It is amazing to me that we are just about there. I see in you the friend I want to be, and look forward to being just that--friends. I will always be your mamma, and you know I love it when you call me that. You can always ask for advice, and for yet a little while, I will still be in charge. But now, the picture of us as friends is becoming clearer. I cherish you. I love you. Happy Graduation. Happy Growing Up. Happy looking forward. You are my gift.

Lorraine

2008-05-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Everything old is new again

2008-05-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

Ryan B. is over hanging out with Barrett. This is the first time we've seen him since his family moved to San Diego last year. It's nice to sit and listen to them talking. Like they've never been apart, except Ryan's voice is deeper, and he is taller. Same easy banter, griping, and Ryan can still beat him in slugfest 2003.
I changed my post name to cin. This is what almost everyone calls me, even my dad! It's not that I am no longer hillenblogshappywife, i definitely am. No complaints with him, us, any of it. But it is just easier to write cin, or cindy. And unless I remember to sign in, it puts me as cindy anyway. So I just decided to change it.
Getting ready to go to a wedding rehearsal. I hear the auditorium looks amazing. Can't wait to see it. Some kids we have known for like seems forever are getting married. Wow, I am old.
Just a note to say, if you don't read Bybee's Blurbs, get to it. Probably everyone else does but I got caught up today, and that girl is hilarious. Plus I used to want to teach English(believe it or not), so it is fun to see the poems, and the topics her classes write about.
I emailed Becky today. I wonder when it will sink in that they are really in Italy. Despite the pictures, which are great, and the posts and emails, it still feels unreal. I guess this is good in some ways, and learning how it will feel when Min & Perry go to the Philippines.

Food for Thought

2008-05-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

So tonight I grilled some steaks, made mashed potatoes, broccoli, shell macaroni(for Barrett, who does not enjoy the potatoes), and the Gorgonzola cream sauce that Brittany suggested several weeks ago to go on the steaks. And, even tho Hillenblog is sick in bed, and probably can't taste much, he loved the sauce! He only had 1/2 of a steak and a small spoon of potatoes, but he said we have to have the sauce again soon, when he feels like eating. It is wonderful! I was a bit concerned, because I am not a fan of the blue cheeses, but it is pretty mild, and really was wonderful.
I am still in process of trying the other ideas, I used most of hillen's first, since he is the main one I am trying to please, so now it is on to the other ideas. Thanks again to everyone who contributed.
And with THE RECIPE BOX full everyday, I should never run out of ideas!

My New Look

2008-05-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

This is Opus, the Penguin. If you are around my age or older, you may remember him from the funny papers. He and Bill the cat had many adventures, and even a series of cards at Hallmark. Always funny, and many years ago my dad made me this magnet for my frig. Barrett asked if he could redesign my blog, and I told him of course, my only request was it have a penguin and an umbrella. Good job Barrett! Opus is my favorite penguin in all of penguin land.
So in other news, Sky and Chad have gone to prom tonight. As you will see from Hillenblog, they both look great! Skyler looks so pretty, and it was so fun to see them head off to prom. Rachel and the kids and Chad's parents came out to see them off. And Missy was texting about pictures before they even got to the stop sign. I just can't believe it is here already...when did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when they were small? When they were very small???
Now, with the house clean, mostly anyway, and pictures taken, dinner cooked, by Barrett, what a great kid, we are sitting to watch "Phantom of the Opera", one of my favorites. Hope you have had as great a day as we, blog ya later.

2008-04-29T17:05:00.001-07:00

Thank goodness school is almost out! Skyler is of course graduating, her last day is the 14th of May. Barrett still has until the 29th of May. But we seem to be checking out already! I keep hitting the snooze button, sleeping too late, so then we have to hurry around. This morning, I for some reason was thinking it was still around 7:40 and that I had plenty of time to get the kids lunches done before 7:50, when they leave. Too bad, so sad it was really 7:48, and they were ready to head out the door. So with all four of us running around the kitchen we managed to get lunches together in under a minute. No one thought it too funny when I suggested we do this everyday, as many hands make light work!
Usually tho, the lunches are made, and the kids go off without a hitch. Until I walk into the kitchen to refill my coffee and see Barrett's lunch sitting on the butcher's block. Or he calls and says he has forgotten it again. So suffice it to say, I have dropped off lunch for Barrett at least 1/2 of the days we have gone to school in the last 2 weeks. Another day, he called because he had forgotten his chapstick. Which would have never been delivered by me, except he is on a medicine that dries out his skin, and his lips are very, very chapped and cracked. So it is not an option to not have it. Oh, another day he forgot his pill after breakfast, so I had to take that, because he has to keep to a consistent schedule with this medicine. Then yesterday he forgot his material and sewing "caddy" for home ec, and I took that to him.
All this to say, the wonderful ladies working in the office, Lori and Tammy, have seen me almost every day now for a couple of weeks. The day I brought the chapstick, I told them what it was so they wouldn't think "chapstick--how spoiled is this kid"! Tammy laughed when I told her that, and said no, I know that the medicine dries out the skin. Then yesterday, when I took in the sewing stuff, I said, "I don't know what you all will do without me next year!" Tammy laughed again and said "you're a good mom" to which I replied, "I may just have a spoiled kid!" Then she and Lori both said "no, you are a good mom."
You know, for some reason that made me feel good. I know a lot of people would not or could not take stuff their kid has forgotten, maybe they are already at work, or whatever. But it really doesn't make me go out of my way, and lots of times it is forgotten because of the mad rush out the door that I reap for a few more minutes of sleep. Anyway, I am ready for school to be out. At least then for a few months, the mad dash will be mine only, and I can tell myself that I will get up earlier next year. Or Barrett will make his own lunch!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2008-04-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

The little boy next door is standing inside his garage. He keeps sticking his arm out to see if it is still raining. And since it is, he scuffs the toe of his shoe against the floor. So cute. He ventures out every once in a while to see how heavy the rain is, and turns to the south, then to the north and shakes his head. He is in 1st grade I think, and is a very nice boy. Loves to play football with his friends and his dad, and sometimes he and his dad play basketball before the school bus comes. We don't talk a whole lot, but he always says hi back when I say it first, so that is something, I guess!

Barrett is at a track meet, and I keep hoping he'll call because he is finished or they have called it for rain...but I don't know if it is thundering there, or raining for that matter.
He just sent me a text, they have sent them inside, so it must be doing something. Sadly, I will be thrilled when track is finished.

Today is Morgan Wilson's birthday, also Holly Tucker. Happy Birthday Girls! It is also Earth Day, which drives me crazy in some ways, but Holly has really helped me see that it is okay to take care of God's creation, without putting it above Him.

It was recently brought to my attention that I missed blogging about every birthday and anniversary in my family in March. This includes my mom's birthday, my parents 49th anniversary, my brother's birthday, and my sister's birthday. I am so sorry. I have a great family and didn't mean to slight anyone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, DENNIS AND MINDY!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!
Here's a little something from 49 years ago.

2008-04-12T07:14:00.001-07:00

I started a new bible study this morning..."Stepping up...." by Beth Moore. I won't get to see the DVD until later next week, but I couldn't wait to begin. The study will focus on Psalms 120-134, the Psalms of Ascent. This first day is more of an overview of the book as a whole, the dividing of the Psalms into 5 "books", getting some background on the book itself.
I love Beth Moore studies, and I am always excited to begin a new one. But yesterday, looking for this one at CPO, I realized there are several I have not done, and more that I began and did not finish. So my prayer is that I would fall so in love with the psalms and with THE WORD that I will not be able to stop wanting to be in the Word. I already love the book of Psalms, is there any emotion not found there? I don't think so. So alreadyI am encouraged that there is nothing I go thru that He does not know about. I know this already, but need constant reminding that God knows my every emotion, joy, sorrow, trust, fear, doubt and praise. Nothing is surprising to Him, and each day I awake, He is right there waiting for me to seek Him. Beth encourages us to fall on our face before Him each day, to humble ourselves before Him not only figuratively, but literally as well. There is a freedom that is found in that act of humility that I don't think can be described unless you do it yourself. As she says, if physically you can't lay on the floor and get back up, you can bow your head. It is the humbling of our hearts that He can use to lift us up. How wonderful is it that we are able to come directly before Him, that we do not have to fear Him turning us away. Thank You God, for loving me when I feel so unlovable.
"I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2.

Guatemala

2008-04-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

So Hillenblog is safely in Guatemala. If you haven't already, check out his blog...pictures and captions already! This has already been the longest day...I hate it when he is gone. But I am so excited for him to go on this trip. I asked for lots of pictures of the babies and children. He has had the best guacamole ever(in mine & CT's opinion anyway) already, and been on the scary, scary roads during rain. There is nothing like this place...I am sure no matter how many trips I am blessed enough to go on, Guatemala will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks again to all of you who made that trip possible for me and Skyler. We will be eternally grateful.

2008-04-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

I need your help blogging world!I am so tired of the same menu items and just can't come up with anything different! So I am asking you for ideas for meals. Give me YOUR family's favorites, and we will see if they become ours! We could even make it a contest...which will my family like best.
Feel free to provide recipes, since I may not have them....
Thanks everyone...grocery day is Friday, so quick quick, on your toes!

Galoshes

2008-03-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

I bought a pair of galoshes today. Not to match Princess Diana's, but to keep my feet dry and warm while outside fixing signs today. Not a perfect match, but just as ugly. And my feet were great all day. The best part is that someone asked me if I bought them at Dillards! What a scream.

2008-03-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

I just deleted a really long post about today. I was trying to tell about Daisy being born this morning, and how cool it was to be there, waiting by the bedroom door(home birth) and being able to hear Rachel pushing, and to feel myself begin to breath with her, and laughing with Jen, Sky and Mandy cause we all seemed to be doing it.And hearing Rachel exclaim "it's a girl!" and cheering with everyone. To wait, not breathing ourselves, to hear Daisy's first cry and nearly crying ourselves when we did. And then laughing again when she really let go. And getting to see her for the first time,and being able to thank God for a safe delivery for Rachel and Daisy.
Well, there isn't any way to describe it. Anyone who has waited right outside the door knows what I mean. Or when you hear the cry. Or when you get word in the waiting room that the baby is here, and everyone is okay. To call it anything less than a miracle is unthinkable to me.

So thanks Rachel,Matt, and Daisy for letting my family share this day with you. It is very personal, and even tho we are not "family" you let us experience this most incredible of days with you. I have experienced it before with family, but not from this close up. Amazing!

As time goes by...

2008-02-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

I was telling someone this weekend "The Story of Mark & Cin", how we met when we were kids, grew up together, never dated til after high school, and ended up getting married. It made me realize yet again how blessed I am to call Mark Hillenburg my husband. Which would not be possible were it not for his wonderful parents, George and Linda, one of whom has a birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA!!! I love you, and am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me with a mom in law like you!

We kept the Liles kids overnight Sunday(kent & ethan), and then Monday(k, e and nat) until Jon and Becky got home Monday night. They are hilarious. Kent and Ethan won the dance off at the JV Superbowl party, Ethan's new motto is "The ladies love a winner", and all three are good at the Wii.
They paid us the highest compliment by telling me they had fun staying with us. We had fun too!

My grandma Hazel passed away on the 29th. She was 91. We got to see her at Christmas, she was very lively and funny. She has always been very ornery(which I mean in the best way anonymous) and was certainly that when she was here. I said at her service that she made the best fried potatoes you've ever eaten, the best chicken and dumplins, and the sweetest tea you will ever drink. She loved my grandpa Basil more than anything, and I am so happy she is seeing him again. They have left a very sad, but happy, family here. I can't wait to see them again. Sometimes heaven seems so close, and yet so very far away.

I don't have anything else to say, and i have three baskets of laundry to fold.

You won't be able to just watch these once!

2008-01-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

Anna #2, but we are gonna call her NAOMI

2007-12-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

December 4th, around 12:18 pm, (i think), 8lbs. 5 oz, and 21 inches long.
She looks like Anna the most...which is of course very happy news for Anna! She is beautiful, and much fun to hold! And, her mommy is doing well also! Nice job Min!

The bride under the bridge

2007-12-03T13:50:00.000-08:00

A couple of weekends ago, sitting at some friends house, I was asked if I had ever seen the "bride under the bridge" at Phelps Grove Park. I hadn't even heard of her, so me, Barrett (with hillenblogs camera in hand), Bradley and Mandy all loaded into the car to go see her. Let me say first thing that I do not believe in ghosts. But I do enjoy a good scare now and then. So we drive to the stone bridge, and this is the image Barrett captured on the camera!! It was pretty weird just seeing it, but when we saw the pictures Barrett got, it was just plain spooky! Can you see her? Just in case you are wondering, she isn't visible during the day. And it might have helped in the spook factor that it was a dark, cold, rainy night...but whatever it really is, or however it got there, it is one spooky bride.

In other news, the pants I have always been able to count on being loose are now tight. I am overweight. Fat. Past pleasantly plump, just sorta chunky, or even voluptuous. So, I am gonna lose some weight. And I am hoping by posting it for all the world to see(hey, we get readers from all over, you know), maybe I will actually stick to a better way of eating. It's not even so much the pants thing, it is more about me just knowing I eat too much at night. I am way an evening eater. And always tired, don't wanna do much...if you have ever been there, you know what I mean. I just want to feel good. I am ONLY 40 after all, and I am anticipating many years ahead of me, and I would like to enjoy them. That's all I am gonna say about it today...and even tho some may wish I wouldn't, I will keep you updated on progress.

Tomorrow my sister will have her baby. Not that it is in anyway about me, but I can hardly wait. I keep trying to imagine what she will look like, will she look like Anna, or maybe Sophie, or have really dark hair, hopefully blue eyes to match Anna, since she is the only blue eyes. Except when she looks in the mirror, they are green, like Ninny. That's what she tells her mom. Anyway, I just can't picture Naomi yet.

Yesterday was Kent's birthday, he is 9 years old. Unbelievable. We got him a Rubics cube. I think he likes it, he was looking for the instructions yesterday. He is a smart kid, so we know he will get it. We just thought it was cool--a flashback to the 80's.

Well, enough for now I guess...only 21 days til Christmas...in case you were wondering.

My parents are not ornery

2007-11-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

I guess according to anonymous, i misused the word ornery. My parents are not ornery, it made my day that they did that to my car! I thought it was very funny! I guess they are more mischevious instead. I can't seem to post comments, I keep getting an error message. So this was really a comment on my last blog...

Lordy, Lordy, Cindy's Forty

2007-11-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

Friday was my 40th birthday. Because I had already had a Come to Jesus meeting with Him and myself, I had decided to try really hard to not be depressed. So I woke up, had some coffee, made breakfast, got the kids off to school, saw Mark off to work, and went to work myself. Also at some point in there, I got 2 new blouses from the fam. So I went off to work, dressed in black dress pants, but a great green sweater vest over white sleeves. I was feeling pretty good...eye makeup was better than it had been in a while, age defying moisturizer seemed to be working okay...I was off to a quiet day at the office. Little did I know that some scheming had been happening behind the scenes. First, everyone in black. Balloons with various age discriminating messages on them at my desk. But the most unbelievable scheme was everyone was in jeans except for me! In case you don't know, we only get to wear jeans on the last Friday of the month. So an extra jean day is something to be celebrated! But not if you are not in on it! Gary was out of town, so tried to claim innocence, but I found out rather quickly, that not only was he in on it, but my very own hillenblog was part of the nasty scheme. But it was too clever to not enjoy, so I forgave everyone and went about my day.
Around 11 my mom in law brought me a homemade redvelvet cake, which I had a piece of right away. It was amazing! Then we all had lunch in the office, and the office had also gotten me a cake, and Tammie had brought in some apple cobbler! Oh, my! What a great day! But perhaps the funniest for me was walking out to my car to find the above---and it took me forever to guess who had done it. I guessed just about everyone I know before saying " it couldn't have been my parents?" only to be told that yes, that is exactly who it was! My parents had driven to the office to decorate my car! My mom said later they tried to find some black balloons, but couldn't or they would have put them on my car too! I'll tell ya what, my parents are more ornery since my dad retired!!!
Then Friday evening, we went to Ocean's Zen for dinner, which is one of my favorite places.
While there, I received a velour jogging suit, with a cute t-shirt from New York and Co.
LOVE IT! Thanks, family. After dinner, off to see BEE MOVIE, which is pretty funny. So all in all, not a bad day for turning 40. The big 40. More than half my life gone, most likely. All down hill from here...oh wait, wait, it is not gonna bother me at all!:)

Trick or Treat, This Is Neat

2007-10-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

Halloween. Tomorrow the aisles of Walmart, Target and the mall will be decked out in Christmas fare, if they aren't already! And, yes, I put the celebration of Christ's birth far and above today, but we are gonna have fun tonight too!
We are not at Fall Festival for the first time in many years. Even when our kids got too big to dress up, we went to work a booth(room). And I must say, for the last 2 years, we had the coolest room. Medic with blood and everything, and last year guts.
But this year we live in Leabrooke in Rogersville, and from what we hear, it is the happening place to trick or treat. So I am gonna keep a tally going of how many we have tonight at different times.
6:30--we have had 14 trick or treaters. Spiderman seems to be the most popular for boys so far, with a marionette raggedy ann the best girl's so far. This is the most trick or treaters we have ever had, so we are already excited!
7:00--we are up to 31. Lots of scream costumes...yikes!
7:30--94!!!! Lot's of older kids this time round...but polite. That's nice. Funniest costume this time is the fully clothed girl with sign around her neck that says "NUDIST ON STRIKE". Now thats funny.
8:00--and we are up to 143. A whole passel of girls came by asking for Barrett, not a one in costume!
8:45--168 and i don't think we are gonna make it to 300, unless we do this again tomorrow night. But this is great fun, and i am still hoping we get more.
Well, it is 9:15, and we haven't had anymore trick or treaters. We sorely overestimated.
If you find yourself in need of a peanut m&m fix, come on over. We have many.
But this has been definitely one the funnest nights we've had. Mark took pictures of all of the kids, so he'll post those soon on his web album, i'm sure.
Happy Halloween! Let's do it again next year!

This started as a comment on Mrs Rider's blog....the one about homeschooling

2007-10-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

I would like to add my "two cents" on this subject if I may. I admire parents who decide to homeschool and who do a great job at it. But as hillenblog said, those are few and far between. We have friends who are currently homeschooling, and they are doing a great job. But we have also known kids who would have benefited so much more by the social and structured aspect of public school. I also agree, who is gonna show Christ to the kids in school if there aren't any kids in school who know Him? Natalie, i agree that if you are teaching and living Christ in front of your kids, they can do very well in public schools. I am not made for homeschooling, never have been. I am not patient enough, or smart enough. By 4th grade or so , my kids would have left me behind. Yes, there are many things about public school that I would change, but we have always believed that our kids are better off there. We sometimes have to correct a theory they may be learning, or discuss a subject I may not feel they (or I) are ready for. But we have always been very honest and open with our kids, and I think we have a pretty great level of communication because of that. So if something comes up at school, they feel like they can talk about it with us.
So, all that to say, Mrs Rider, I am glad you are sending your kids to public school. I mean, if you feel it is necessary, you can homeschool at any time, right? I am able to see both sides, as we also have family that homeschools. But i don't think anyone should make you feel like a bad parent because you choose something different. God will bless your decision, and your prayer life will grow in ways you never imagined!!

Tossing cookies.

2007-10-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

This morning ended my streak of at least 13 years of not throwing up. I am on an antibiotic that I am pretty sure I have to take with food, even tho it says it's up to me. Either that,or the cough medicine did it. Either way, I woke up this morning feeling like I was gonna pass out, and then threw up. Not that you want to know all this, but to me it is a pretty big deal, and people keep telling me to update my blog, so there you have it!

Happy 20th Anniversary to Gary and Lisa Wilson...20 years seems amazing, even tho we are only 2 behind. At the same time, how cool is it to say you have been married that long? Even 18 years seems like a long time when you say it out loud...tho the time has flown. Anyway, happy anniversary, we love you guys.

Doesn't it feel like it should be Friday already? Maybe cause this Friday is the last one of the month, and that means JEAN DAY!!! Yeah! I love jean day. I just do.

Well, that's about all I have for now. Two days in a row...

gone so long, you've been gone so long, you've been gone, gone, gone so long

2007-10-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

I almost waited until the 24th of this month to blog again, to make the time even. I am not sure I even have much to say, but here goes.
School is better. Barrett is making friends, hasn't gotten kicked out from the lunch table he's at, and even has a fan club of girls at football. So things are better, and I am still praying all the time for him. Skyler is doing fine, some trouble with the fact that honors courses don't transfer to Rog, and so this puts her at risk of losing the governer's scholarship...but we are trusting that the Lord can work this out too.

We(Mark and I) are working in HVJV( junior high) at church. We worked in there about 10 or 11 years ago, and most of the time I feel too old to be doing it again. But we feel that the Lord's leading was clear on this, so we are following, albeit slowly and with canes:)

I am still the girl friday for my job, love it, and get to see some real interesting things. The above pictures show just an example of this: Look at the bones this dog is chewing on...it is a deer leg! It was all connected when I first saw him. He bounded up to me as if to say.."look what i've got! Isn't it the coolest thing you've ever seen" to which i replied out loud"Oh my, that is a deer leg"

New school, new rules

2007-08-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

So school started yesterday. New school, new rules. Or in the case of Barrett, maybe not enough rules. It is so much more laid back here at LogRog. Barrett is pretty much free to walk around before school, instead of being held captive in the gym until the bell rings. He gets to walk outside BY HIMSELF to shop class, unheard of at Hickory. And, being as how he is like me, he might prefer a little less freedom to begin with. Just til he is used to things. I think he is actually excited about the new found freedom, it just new. He will have time to go see Coach Queen before school, and that is good. He told me he said all of three words all day yesterday, and those might have been when he sat by a kid at lunch and said "My names Barrett" and the kid replied, "My names Greg" since that is the total of the conversation.
Skyler is okay, weird that some kids she actually knows in one of her classes did not talk TO her, but told Hayely, that they have a class with her. I would not go back to middle or high school for any amount of money.
So, as you think of it, pray for my kids, all of our kids really. My heart aches for mine right now, trying to make friends, everything new. I was nervous every year, and i went to the same school til i graduated.

random

2007-08-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

we are getting a home phone again. I am ridiculously happy about it. I hate having to carry my cell everywhere. And i want an answering machine. I would love a phone with a really long cord...so that it goes across the kitchen...yes, instead of a cordless.
We have dish again. 200 hours of DVR...need I say more?
Big Brother...love it. Hate Evel, am afraid I am gonna end up liking Jen.
Started the registering process for log-rog schools today. Not sure I am ready for this.
We are having dinner at Acambaro before church tonight...i have not been there in over a month. Can you say WITHDRAWAL?
Mark and have been married 18 years now, as of July 29. Lovin' every minute of it.
Hallelujah, the fair is over...can't wait til next year!
congratulations to Jeff and Shannon...and matt and rachel...for entirely different reasons of course.
I slept 2 hours last night. Not on purpose
of course, i must mention the boyfriend.( we like him) but that is all i can say for now.
i vented today...it felt gooood.
i spilled tea down the front of my white shirt on the way to work, and had to buy a new one...too close to town to go home.
that's all i have for now...maybe i will blog again someday.

Your welcome, chica

2007-07-04T09:50:00.001-07:00

Today is July 4th. We celebrate our independence from Britain, when we won the Revolutionary War. Thomas Jefferson is known as the writer of the Declaration of Independence. These are questions that Sean Hannity had on his "man on the street" hour yesterday. I only heard a few people answer, but none of them got them all right. Even the producer of the segment got them wrong. Amazing.

I made breakfast today. Although since we just ate about 5 minutes ago, it might be lunch! We had biscuits and gravy, eggs, potatoes, and sausage. Also preserves and jelly if you don't like gravy. Barrett said he felt like he was at the Boschens.

We just watched the Hot Dog Eating Championship at Coney Island in NY. GROSS! It was a photo finish, believe it or not. Of course, they may not count the dogs that Cobiachi threw back up at the end. GROSS! I am so glad we are not having hot dogs tonight!!!

It is weird to have a holiday in the middle of the week. I keep feeling like it is Saturday.

Skyler's hair is so cute. I think it is funny that it is called short, because it is still below her chin. I want to grow mine that LONG! I know, you have heard it before. But I can dream, can't I?

The Wilson's came over this week for dinner, we had meatloaf(a relative success) mashed potatoes, green beans, and salad. I have actually made dinner everyday this week, which is a huge thing around here. Anyway, we had a great time. I can't believe they had not been here for months. That has to change.

Anyway, everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday.

only words

2007-06-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

I know I have not blogged since Guatemala. I have not been sure as to what to say. The answers i give when asked in person do not seem adequate. Amazing, beautiful, sad, thrilling, scary, overwhelming, and so many more words. But they are only words. To fully understand how we have felt since going and coming back, you have had to have been on a trip yourself. But I will try to give you an idea:

When we first arrived, being the homebody that I am, i was already homesick and could not imagine 9 days ahead of me before home. By the time we left, i was ready to get home, but not sure how i was gonna leave.

The first night we went into the orphanage, i cried for all those babies who had been given up. I was heartbroken for them, for the ones who gave them up, no matter the reasons, and also sad I could not figure out how to get one home with me. The night we said goodbye, i cried because although they might not remember me, I would never forget them, but my heart was full of happiness because even if I could have figured out a way to bring one home, they ALL already have "forever families" waiting on them.

While we were there, I was scared of many things. We were at the top of a mountain, which is way high, we drove on roads that usually did not have guardrails, or anything besides a huge drop off. But the views were amazing.We rode in a boat for about 45 minutes one way across a lake to Santaigo. I have been on boats before, on a lake, however this was way different. But a blast. We had an earthquake, but I didn't even get to/have to feel it. I wasn't sure about the food, but everything we had was wonderful. I can't speak Spanish, but plenty of the kids could, at least well enough to get us by. I am not adventurous, so i did not do the slide,or the zip-line, but it was so cool to watch.

A man got saved while we were there. He was telling me in spanish what a blessing our song was, and how we sang like angels, and how he had accepted Christ. I could not understand him without Larry, but i am so thankful that I will see him in heaven now, and will be able to talk without any trouble at all.

This is all just a little of our time there, I could keep going, but again, all of this is only words, you must, must, must go on a trip for yourself. Even if it is not out of the country. The lives you will touch will amaze you, but more than that are the ways your life is touched by those you meet.

I will never be the same. Thankfully.

Greetings from Guatemala

2007-06-13T10:30:00.001-07:00

Just a quick hola from Eagles Nest in Guatemala! we are having an amazing time. Our hacienda is wonderful, the views are absolutely amazing, and we have seen so many things and people. I will blog more later, of course, but I just wanted to say thank you again to all of you who have given to make this trip possible. As i told Mark in an email, there are so many things here that are scary to me. Not knowing the language, which thankfully, some of the kids know enough to get us by. But i am not a fan of heights, and we are so high in the mountains, the roads are kinda scary at times, lots of steep curves, most without guard rails or sides, just stuff like that. But God is so good, and the blessings from this trip have far outweighed the scary. I am just learning to trust that His hand is strong enough to hold me up, no matter how far below me the ground is.

More later...keep praying for us...

These kids are beautiful.

You are the sunshine of my life

2007-06-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

So much could be said here, June 1st is the day we found out we were having Skyler.
We were so young, so scared, but about to begin the greatest journey of our lives...being parents.
God has blessed us with an amazing daughter, we could not have asked for any better.
WE LOVE YOU SKY.

yes, i know

2007-05-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

it really has been a long time. I just haven't known what to blog, even if I would have had time to do it. Sky and Mark have pretty well been the bloggers able to keep you up to date, and interesting too.
We have been so busy, but the end appears to be in sight. Let's just say I cannot wait for school to be out. The back and forth is killing me. Well, not killing, but exhausting...
We love our house. LOVE, LOVE LOVE it. The Lord has been very gracious and blessed us, and is daily teaching me to trust Him, even when it's hard.
Money's are raised for Guatemala, thanks again to everyone! The concert was a success, and we are shopping tonight for the "trial size" items. I am so excited and so scared at the same time. I seem to be having a constant lump in my throat, to not cry before we even get there. I am sure I will do enough of that when it is time to leave, but I already long to meet them. Who is the "them"?
Only God knows, but I think I am overwhelmed by the fact that He does know who they are, and how we will impact each other. And that He has provided so amazingly for our trip. And that I will be gone from the 2 most important guys in my life for 10 days. And that I get to be with my favorite girl for 10 days. All of it.
So, pretty much that is it. I spend my days exhausted and overwhelmed. Both in mostly good ways. I will post more...just not able to say when.
Lastly, in case you read this, I am still praying for you, and I love you.

She still calls me mommy

2007-04-21T14:04:00.000-07:00

Things from the week:
Skyler is in Florida, i miss that girl, she calls me mommy when she says bye. It makes me want to cry. In a good way.
Donnie Osmond is going to do a personal concert in some lucky mom's home for Mothers Day.
You have to register somehow on Dalila's evening show on KGBX.
We only have five days left til we move.
We are not packing fast enough(in my opinion anyway)
We will be living across the street from a guy I went to church with for years while I was a kid.
Sun, Sun and more sun!!!
There is way less laundry around here when Sky is out of town. I will be glad to have more laundry.
Natalie is four today.
Morgan Wilson is 13 tomorrow.
Supreme Casserole from Jan Bemarkt in the new church cookbook is amazing!
Did I mention we only have 5 days til we move?

To christa

2007-04-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Since you mentioned reading the blogs, i just wanted to tell you how much fun it was to sit and talk yesterday morning. I know we have said this before, but i only laugh like that with a few people, and it is wonderful to have those memories to laugh over again and again. I have a laugh that appears most when I am laughing with you, and once in Target I was reading a card, laughing out loud when Mark said from an isle over, "Christa, is that you?" I don't even remember what the card said, but it was worthy of the "Christa" laugh. Thanks for being my friend all these many years. i will show you that post card soon.

longwinded

2007-04-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in the kitchen that now for all intents and purposes belongs to someone else. And i have to admit to a bit, just a bit, of sadness. But with that bit of sadness is joy unspeakable--just a few more weeks, and we will be home. See, i already think of our house in rogersville as home. So exciting.
Mark and Barrett are sick. They are both sleeping, with fevers(Mark slight, Barrett 100.2 for now)sore throats, but not strep. Barrett is upset cause he is missing football practice, but did finally admit he doesn't feel like being there. Skyler is at a ball game, and I am trying to come up with something for supper.
I want to share something with you my blogging friends. I am almost 40 (shock) years old. But I still want my parents to be proud of me. I guess that will never change, will it? My parents and sister and her family went with us on Saturday to see the new house. I knew my sis would like it, and i was fairly sure my parents would. But I so wanted them to believe we have made a good choice. Mark's parents have already seen it, love it and let us know they are happy for us. So to have my parents feel that way too, is a great feeling that makes me feel a little giggly inside i must say. And also, just so they know, I am pretty proud of my parents too. And I am gonna tell you why.
My family has always gone to church. My two oldest brothers don't go anymore, but we are praying that they will soon. But my parents, me, min and my youngest brother have all stayed in church. But I have never seen my parents as excited and as involved as they have been since they started going to Broadway Baptist. Now of course i wish they went to HSBC. But they visited and it was just not right for them. They still come to hear us sing of course, but they have really found a home at Broadway. They are active in their class, they go on trips and activities, they are there all the time as long as they aren't sick, and they have found a renewed joy in the Lord. Have they told me this? No, i have seen it happening in their lives the last few years. And it is so cool to see. Today my dad told me about how the Lord had already given them back something that they had given away for Him. I can't share details, but I can't tell you how cool it is to share God's goodness and the way he alone can bring about blessings with your parents. It is also so great to be able to then share that with my kids, to show them that God is working in all our lives, and wants us to share that with each other.
Long post, i know. But i just had to share. Thanks for reading.

in no specific order, obviously

2007-03-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of our new house. You know where. We are so excited, and at the same time it seems surreal. The best part is knowing that every step of the way, the Lord has made Himself known. I don't have any doubts that this is what we are supposed to do. I am just still amazed at the speed with which it happened. But thrilled at the way He has worked it out.
I have developed a couple of nervous habits during the past few weeks however. They are wringing my hands, or popping my knuckles. I don't even know I am doing it usually. And I don't really mean to do it. It is not even an endearing habit, just annoying. Especially to hillen.
He is the one who pointed it out to me last night. We were talking about the move and stuff, and he looked over and said "Stop wringing your hands, cin" so I did, but almost immediately I started popping my knuckles. Yikes!
Well, mainly I am trying to beat hillenblog at getting pictures of our house on the blog, so this is it for now. We have permission to post them, so I am. Enjoy. We will!

Tomorrow is another day

2007-03-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

One of Scarlett's favorite sayings in the movie "Gone with the Wind". She's right, ya gotta give her that. We went to Miss Sybil's house for dinner last Tuesday and watched almost all of the movie and then finished it at home Wednesday night. That Scarlett is not very nice. She stole boyfriends and husbands, and was very, very selfish. I was actually surprised that in 1939 when it was made, they would allow a woman to be portrayed as anything but sugar and spice. She was definitely not that!
As you have probably seen on hillenblog, our house is for sale, and we have spent the last 2 weeks or so fixing it up to sell. The kitchen is fabulous! Thanks to friends and family who helped, we appreciate it so much!
Quick update on the Guatemala Trip. Skyler had donations totaling $220 last week, adding to her total of $425! I had $100 added to mine, I know who some of you are, thank you, thank you, thank you! When we get a list of donators, we will send you a letter letting you know the details of our trip. We had a meeting last night, and there was a line in our itinerary that had Lisa in tears, and was my favorite of the whole thing: PLAY WITH THE ORPHANS. I tell you what, I cannot wait to love on those babies and kids. It will be amazing.
Okay, i will end with this...last night hillen and i were watching what the DVR said was Amazing Race, but due to ball games was really the program 60 minutes. I hate that show, but last night they interviewed Simon Cowell from American Idol. First, I have to say, he is funny. And smart. But the thing I like the most about him is when the interviewer asked him a question, he answered "I could not care less. Seriously, I couldn't care less!" I was so happy to hear him word that phrase correctly!! So many people, and I don't want to hurt any feelings here, but so many people say that phrase as "I could care less." Well, that means you still care some. So if you are trying to let someone know that you don't care, you should say it correctly,"I couldn't care less". I have no more care left in me. I do not care at all. See?
Well, that is it for now, I am so tired and we have a basketball banquet in a little while for Barrett.
even if you couldn't care less...I will blog again soon. After all, tomorrow is another day.

Oh,Oh,Oh, the weekend

2007-03-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention that Sunday is the spaghetti luncheon, with proceeds going to the Guatemala missions trip team. Don't forget, and we will see you there right after church Sunday Morning!

A Fine Week, indeed

2007-03-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

So, this has been a very nice week in the life of hillenblogshappywife. I started the week with emails from Gary & Lisa letting me know that skyler and i each have $425 in our Guatemala fund! I don't know who yet, but someone has given to our online donation link thingie. That is so exciting! We both have $370 left, which doesn't sound bad at all, even when you put it together, $740. And we are confident that God is providing, and so thankful to whoever you are for believing with us and allowing God to make you a blessing in our lives.
Tuesday was my parents 48th anniversary. Happy Anniversary mom and dad. You are becoming a rariety in this world. I am thankful everyday for the example you are of committment in marriage. I know that it is not always easy, but you have shown me that it is always worth it. We love you.
Wednesday was painting the kitchen. Not me, Mark. I am not a painter. I was packing up clutter in our room, just in case we decide to sell, so the house will show better. I cannot believe how big our room looks with so much stuff taken out, i do not even want to think about having to put back anything. Maybe if we don't move, we can still keep the clutter out!! The kitchen is looking great by the way! It is a wonderful shade of green, and makes me happy just looking at the walls!
Tonight is more painting and boxing up the clutter in barrett's room, and of course, survivor is on. Too bad Grey's is a rerun.
Tomorrow is Friday, a busy day at work, and nothing planned in the evening as far as i know...more boxing??
Did I mention everyday has been wonderful this week weatherwise? I love, love, love it. Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry...Sunshine on the water looks so lovely, sunshine almost always makes me high.

Threescore and seven years ago...

2007-03-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!
1940

Guatemala, here we come

2007-02-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

Well, since i told you I would keep you posted about our trip, I am so happy and humbled to share this with you. Skyler and I have a payment due on March 1st of $200 each. Today the Lord provided that exact amount for both of us. Yep, our 1st payment taken care of. You know who you are, thank you so much. To know that you are excited with us means more to us than we can tell you. We love you all.
Today was Family Sunday Dinner, and yes, i missed church again. Next month, no excuses, cause Jean Ann is making the main course.But today, I made the fried chicken, which was a cinch compared to the rest of the meal, I mean the part I was supposed to make, but thought someone else was bringing. I was supposed to make the potatoes, which really, who wants fried chicken and gravy with no potatoes, you gotta have em, right? But leave it to me, I lost the menu and assignments again this time around, so got mixed up and thought I was supposed to do the corn on the cob, and Jean Ann was making the potatoes, when she was doing the corn, and I was potatoes. Well, we had used all the milk to make gravy,(shout out to Linda--great gravy), and when i ran to the store to get the good kind of instant potatoes, did I get milk???NO!!! So then I had to race to express lane for milk, and Jean Ann made the potatoes. Which were great too, couldn't tell they were instant at all, and only a spoonful left!
Todays whole menu was fantastic...Fried Chicken, forty eight pieces, with only about 10 left over; potatoes and gravy(see above) :); green beans--real from the garden, great flavor, could have eaten the whole pot; corn on the cob; salad my sister makes that I can't get enough of...and homemade macaroni and cheese that my mom makes, and no matter how closely i follow her recipe, i can't make it as good. Rolls, and red velvet cake for dessert, it doesn't get any better.
We missed Jon and Bec, Dennis and Carolyn, and Chuck, but you were all in our hearts.
So, another week begins, and I hope it is a great one for all...today has certainly been a great start to mine.

Who are the people in your neighborhood

2007-02-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

So ever wonder who your neighbors really are? I do. We have nick-names for some of our neighbors. Scary guy who never wears a shirt lives a few doors down and on the opposite side of the street. In the ten years we have lived here, I've seen him outside with a shirt on twice. And he is not even great to look at. I mean, if you're never gonna wear a shirt, at least look good doing it. Then we have the overloaded lawn ornament family next door, who make it nearly impossible for skyler to sleep at Christmas time. Then we have the yearly renters, who live across and one over, the people only stay around for a year or so, and then off they go...lease up! But my favorite by far is dead ladies house, she wasn't really dead, we just noticed one day a few years ago that she hadn't come out of her house for a long time, car in the drive, no movement. So, we began to wonder if she was dead. Then, suddenly, there she was. Alive and well, but she never did tell us what she was doing in there. BUT NOW, she has moved and her house is a rental. AND I AM PRETTY SURE IT IS A SAFE HOUSE. No, i am not kidding. She sold it about 3 years ago, and ever since, people move in for a few weeks, or a month or so, and then gone, vanished into thin air. There one morning, gone by the afternoon, and never being out much the time they lived there. So, yup, it's a safe house. I mean, what better place to put one? No one else but an avid reader like me is gonna suspect a safe house in this crappy neighborhood.
(Well, okay, not crappy, persay, but it sure makes the sentence funnier) Now, this is not to say we don't have nice neighbors, either. They are very nice for the most part, except the ones in the safe house...they don't talk.

BABIES, BABIES AND MORE BABIES

2007-02-16T06:28:00.000-08:00

I have the exciting opportunity to go on a missions trip to Guatemala in June. Our church is taking a group of high school and college kids to the Eagles Nest, an orphanage run by our missionaries, the Boggs. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love kids. Now, rest assured, I am not planning on having any more children of my own, but I love, love, love, everyone else's babies and kids. I am so excited to be able to go to an orphanage and love on so many children, and at the same time I am already wondering how I will leave them. My sister, who has visited an orphanage in the Philippines, says I will leave them, but they will always be in my heart.
I have never been on a missions trip, never been out of the country, and honestly, I am not really thrilled with the thought of the plane rides. But that is a small concern compared to being with my daughter, who also loves children, for around 10 days, with the only goal being to give ourselves away to these missionaries and children. We will also be doing wordless dramas in some schools, maybe going to a park to witness, teaching the wordless dramas to kids there, and maybe even light construction work...lots of fun, and having to get out of my comfort zone.
I have seen many of our friends go on missions trips before, and honestly, this is the first time I have felt like the Lord is telling me "I want you to go." Now i find myself saying "okay, I'll go, but how?" That's why we are posting this link to the website and online donation page. Maybe the Lord will lead you to give toward me or Skyler going. Maybe he is going to lead you to pray for us while we are gone. Maybe He is going to provide the funds in some way we have not even imagined yet. I am trusting in Him to provide, because I feel so strongly that He wants us to go.
So, I will keep you all "posted" on my blog about the progress, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

To my best friend, on your birthday

2007-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

38 Reasons I love being Hillenblogs Wife:

the way you smile
the smile that is just for me
your laugh
you are hardly ever in a bad mood
you love me when I am in a bad mood
you snuggle in your sleep
your snores...really
you let me put my ice cold feet on you
you laugh when I snore(which I don't)
you are a true servant...
you like the fair
you are a hard worker
you let me read, all the time
you are patient, usually
you keep our secrets
you pick out great cards...every time.
you married me, even tho you didn't have too
you eat food sometimes that you don't like, and still compliment the cook
you let me get extra add-ins at Andy's
you go grocery shopping with me
you are an amazing kisser (sorry kids)
you tell me I am beautiful, and make me believe you
you like to take my picture
you dream big
you love the Lord, and our church
your blue eyes
perfect lips(that the kids got from you)
your eyebrows
your "man" hands
you still want to sit with me in the chair-and-a-half
you let me keep a water purifier on the faucett, even tho you can't taste a difference
you love New York
you never meet a stranger
you hold me when I cry
you look like Patrick Dempsey
you are younger than me, but not by much
you have loved me forever

Happy 38th Birthday, Mark, I love you. You truly are my dream come true, the one I didn't know I was looking for...but am so, so glad I found.

old habits die hard

2007-02-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

So, obviously I am not any better of a blogger now than I was last time I blogged and said I'd try to do better. Way long time since my last blog.
A lot has happened in the past week and a couple days.
I had a muscle spasm on Monday. The most horrific pain I have ever felt...way beyond childbirth, which the Lord so graciously wipes from our minds so we can love the children who just caused us so much pain. At first I was convinced I was having a heart attack, so I looked up the symptoms while I dialed Mark and then hung up. Then I dialed again, and hung up. Then it still hurt so I called him for real. Went to urgent care, where they gave me a shot and some happy pills. I am now so much better, and I really hope that never happens again.
Tuesday, work. Wednesday, work...snow so no church. Thursday, oh, wondrous Thursday!!!
Oliver came home! The airport was packed, the tears were flowing, and he was so sweet, so pleasant, and we were all so happy to see him.
Friday, took Barrett to the Doctor to do a scoliosis screening, because he had noticed a curve in his side. Sure enough, he has it. For now, baseline x-rays, and a check in six months. No restrictions on sports, good news.
Saturday, Kent and Ethan spent the day and night here...they are quite a pair. Both so smart. Kent wrote a book about superheroes, Ethan helped, and they did these really cool wooden model kits. I'm not sure who enjoyed the models more, the boys or Barrett.
Sunday was church, you gotta love that Jerry Thorpe. Great message, and goes along with the Daniel bible study I am in. I am afraid we have gone from giving Satan too much credit and power to completely underestimating him.
Today was another day that God has shown his love and mercy for his children. Hayely Queen who is sky's bestest friend had a brain tumor removed today. She is doing so well, God has gone beyond even all our prayers. Keep praying for her...and her family. She means a lot to us at Hillenblog's home...we love her very much.
So, tomorrow work...going to see Hayely,
Wednesday, i gotta gig at KCBT in Kansas City...I think I am gonna end up driving up by myself, because Barrett has basketball tournaments, Mark is staying for those, and Skyler cannot miss fashion design again...and since rehearsal is at 5, I can't wait until after school to take off.
Well, that's it in a rather large nutshell...have a great week.

Shout out to korea!

2007-01-28T14:33:00.001-08:00

I was just checking my stats, when I noticed that someone in Korea read my blog---Thanks Rachel! Of course I know you checked others as well, but it is cool to see it on mine, since mine is the only one I can check!
I also noticed that I have the most return visitors on Friday. That made me realize how disappointed those people must be when they see it is the same old post it was the last Friday.
I will try to do better, now that the laundry isn't ruling my life, maybe I will be a better Blogger.
We'll see.

My hair isn't growing any faster either.

2007-01-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

I hate my fingernails. They have always been brittle, easily broken things, and it doesn't help that I have bitten them since I was little. Even when I was pregnant with my kids, and took prenatal vitamins they were still brittle and never grew. A few months ago, I started taking prenatals again and also taking Calcium, in hopes that maybe without a baby using all the vitamins, it would help them grow. I think it would work, but I keep forgetting to take them. I have had the same 30 day supply for 3 months now. Right now I have two nails on my left hand that I would consider long for me anyway. The rest have broken off this weekend, and it is driving me to distraction. I have a couple of manicure gift cards I need to use, but I was trying to get all my nails around the same length. Don't think that is ever gonna happen. Mark of course has to clip his nails every other day, cause they grow so fast. What is up with that?
This is a boring post. I know it. But I needed to blog so I don't get kicked off, since i am one of the ones who complain when people don't blog.
Can't wait to see Oliver and Company on Thursday!

Click your heels, dorothy, there's no place like home

2007-01-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

Well, we got power back last night. Thank you Lord, and please get everyone elses on soon. Last Friday, when I so lightheartedly told my sister to still let the kids spend the night, she just might not get them back for a day or two, I never expected to rush them home Saturday morning, and then be the ones spending the night with friends. I really never expected the storm to be so bad, to cause so much damage, and to be without power for so long. We have great friends and family who took us in, and my sister was host to our brother and sister in law, our parents, and two dogs. My brother chuck found shelter with friends he works with in Nixa, and my other brother and his family were able to stay with his in laws. Becky was able to get to Florida and Jon, and George and linda were at Beckys and then had power at home. We stayed with the Albrittons Saturday night, and then the wilsons, for the rest of the week, until Friday night when we got the house warm enough to sleep in, and last night got power. Thanks to all of you, if I have learned anything from this, at least one is that we have amazing family and friends, which we knew, but also took for granted. I love you guys.
So if anyone still without power needs to do laundry, plug in a crock pot, watch tv, blog, anything at all, please do not hesitate to come over. Even when we are not here, you can come by. We will be happy to share. Our door will always be open. Wide.

$201.06

2007-01-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

That is the total that we spent at the grocery store today. We have this habit of waiting until we run out of almost everything, and then go. We are always surprised by the total at the end, at least Mark is, but he has not been going with me for too long. We usually go major shopping every three weeks or so, so divided by three, the weekly average is not to bad, right? Anyway, I only blog this to tell you how close I was to the actual total today when we were checking out. I asked Mark if he wanted to guess the total, and he guessed $150.00. I told him my guess was $201.84. He looked askance at that grand total, and I reminded him we did get the water purifier this time, which ads almost $30 to the bill. Anyway, the checker guy was laughing at us, and the lady in line behind us was anxiously awaiting the total, so I gave a little drum roll as the last item went by. The checker guy smiled and hit the total button:$201.06!!! Everyone around looked at me in amazement, and I was very excited to be that close. I would have been more excited in the long run if Mark had been correct, but oh, well. Pretty good guessing, eh?
Just in case Betsy reads this, I made some killer pork chops the other day. So good in fact that Mark would like a repeat sometime this week, and we even went to Harter House to get the chops. I tried a new recipe last week for a change of pace. We always seem to have the same things over and over...and I guess it will stay that way, cause the new dish I tried was awful! It sounded so good in the cookbook, and yet tasted so bad when it was finished. And yes, I followed the recipe, because I am really no good at all with just making stuff up! So today at the store, everything we bought is from the tried and true category.
Tomorrow is Sunday of course, and it is back to Sunday School and big church. See you there, get yourself some coffee, and enjoy the fellowship!

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

2007-01-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

I thanked God for the rain today, even tho I don't like it. I told Him that He says to give thanks in everything, so I was thanking Him for the rain. I get some of my best time with God when I am in the van...when I turn off the radio and just talk to Him. You know, like He is my friend!:)
Crystal and Tiffany are coming over tonight...I love those girls. We have 4 really great girls that we have adopted, Tiff and Carie from the college class, and Crystal and Steph, just cause we want to. When I was little and my family went to church at Lakeview Baptist...my parents had adopted kids too. That was confusing for me at first...why would you adopt grown up kids when you already had 5 young ones? Of course, anyone over ten seemed grown up to me then, let alone a college student. So anyway, I can remember Darryl, Valerie, Charlie and Donna, and maybe someone named Tom or something, i could be making that guy up, but someone went with Valerie, right mom and dad? Charlie and Donna were married, and Donna was pregnant with their son Scotty, and right before Scotty was born, Charlie was killed in a car accident. Man, I remember how sad that was, how mad I was at the other person, even tho if I remember correctly, it may have been Charlie's fault for passing and not having room to get back over. Anyway, most of the memories I have of that time are good, very faint, but good. So I think it is great that now Mark and I have the adopted kids, and my kids will have great memories to look back on too.
Do you ever have days that you long for heaven more than others? Of course you do. I have been filling out new calendars the past few days, and I still write in my grandpa and marks grandpa and my grandma thomas' birthdays. Also with Chris losing his nana, and Pat Walker going home this week, anyhow, some days I just long for heaven more. I know its partly because I am older, but honestly, i am ready to not have to say goodbye. My grandma has been gone since 1982, but sometimes I can see her face so clearly and hear her say "Well, howdy-do and how are you" when we would answer the phone. Skyler would have loved knowing her, my grandma was so creative, and loved to read and would have loved being with Skyler. My grandpa thought that my kids hung the moon, and I know he would be so proud of them today. And maybe he could have taught them to play the guitar. Grandpa Doubt was with us longer, so my kids have much more memories of him, and I am so glad. He loved them so much, and Becky's kids too, we have been so blessed to have such a great heritage. I see so much of him in Mark, and that makes me so proud of them both. Kent said it best at Christmas dinner"Raise your hand if you miss Grandpa Doubt." Out of the blue, and yet it was so sweet and incredibly enough, just what we needed. Today is a longing for heaven day. I can't wait to see them again.
Well, I know this was longwinded and kinda sad. Rainy days are good for that. Sunny tomorrow, I'll remember to say thanks for that too.

"Loads" of advice

2007-01-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who offered such great advice about the laundry. It is still a work in progress, but I have been washing everything in cold, and no one stinks or has a dread disease, so I guess I can continue that. I'm thinking if I do a couple loads a day I won't realize how much I am really doing. As laurad says, it is like a part time job!

I hope everyone is having a great start to the new year...so far so good here. I feel like I am still trying to get caught up on sleep, two nights of 1:00 am are no good for me. I am such a baby when it comes to sleep.

We went to a flea market, Sky got some really cool stuff, I got nothing. But I saw a lot of really cool stuff, got lost several times, and had just a great time looking around. It amazes me the stuff people put in their booths. I saw several milk bottles, glass, but the kind you can get at Price Cutter right now if you want, with milk in it, for the same price as the empty jug at the flea market. That is not so cool, right? I was kinda looking for some amazing canisters, because no one here likes the containers the sugar and flour are in right now. But the cool canisters were all rusted inside, and I would be afraid to put anything in them. I did see some really cool melamin dishes, cups and saucers, but no plates. We used to have some cups just like them when I was growing up, that made me all nostalgic. But I don't know if that stuff is dishwasher or microwave safe, so I didn't get any of that either.

We had omelets for dinner. They weren't bad, but not as good as we used to make. We used to make such good omelets we would invite people over for them. Now that seems kinda weird. Oh well, our kitchen walls used to be decorated with menus from cool restaurants that someone who is the husband here had stolen in high school and college. But that really was cool. Not weird. And he hasn't stolen any for a long time now. :)

Well, that is about all for now...useless info about my day. But some days are just like that.

4 Loads, are you kidding me?

2006-12-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

Okay, if you just cannot take another blog about my laundry woes, skip this one. But if you can bear with me for just one more time, I want your opionion on something. As you know I am having trouble keeping up with the laundry around here now that I work every day. I am sure this shouldn't be the case, but when you are used to having at least one full day to get it all done, sometimes 2, it is hard to get into a routine of a load every day, HOW DO YOU EVER GET CAUGHT UP??? So, in discussing this with my husband and kids, we have been arguing over how many loads of laundry there really are when you sort them. Mark and some guys at work were discussing this, and they all could only come up with 4. 4--are you kidding me? Here were the loads, according to them: Darks, Lights, towels, wives stuff. I laughed out loud at that. So today, when I sorted all our laundry, I had Mark take a picture, so that I can prove my point, to me at least, and ask all of you who do laundry for your family, how many loads do you have? Am I creating unnecessary work for myself? Here are the loads we end up with every time.
1. Darks that should be washed in cold, rinsed in cold. Things you don't want to shrink.
2. Cords, slacks, khakis, pants that aren't jeans. Sometimes can be combined with darks, but usually too big of a load to combine.
3.Darks that need to be washed in warm(hot) with cold rinse. These include underwear and socks, things like that, with some shirts, pants thrown in if there is room.
4. Jeans.
5. Dark colored gentle cycle. Mostly me and Skylers stuff, but sometimes Marks and B's get in here too. Need to be treated gently, not in the regular wash.
6. This is the white pile...underwear and socks that are light colored, not dark, and lighter shirts, pjs, etc...hot wash, cold rinse.
7. Dark colored towel, hot wash. Cannot be washed with next pile, because colors may bleed and then you just have dingy looking towels
8. White or light colored towels. See above
9. Light colored gentle cycle, not to be mixed with dark colored gentle cycle for obvious reasons.

So, I cannot wait to hear from you all on how this can be made into 4 loads. Or even 6. Granted sometimes, I can combine loads, but most of the time, this is how it is. Anyone, Anyone??

Who are the people in your neighborhood?

2006-12-30T18:18:00.000-08:00

In my job with the realty, I have opportunity to be "out & about" a lot. I love this. It is great to see the seasons change, although summer is still my favorite by far, to be out during the day putting up signs, running errands...I just love it. It also gives me opportunity to see some really cool houses, barns, and scenery. So today I am going to post some of the things I have seen so far. Not everything of course, but a few things.

So, from top to bottom, in no certain order:
1. This house is in Ash Grove. It is not for sale, by us or anyone else, but I thought was so cool. It is in the historical district, and there are some really cool houses around it too, but this is my favorite.
2. This house is on Oak Grove, and this is the best picture we could get(Barrett was helping me). I have dreams about this house, even tho Mark says it is ugly, but I am certain if I could just get a look around inside, I would be able to stop wanting it. Would it be awkward to just ring the doorbell and ask if I could take a look around??
3. I saw this house from the highway one day and found it later after work to take a picture. There is also a barn, and the house goes on in the back, but I couldn't get any better of a picture with out going over the fence, and since there is a no trespassing sign posted clearly, well...
anyway, I love this house. I realize that it is uninhabitable, but I still think it is so cool. I love old farmhouses, and if I had my druthers, this is the kind of house I would live in. Or a cute bungalow style...whichever.
4. This is a round barn on the way to Ash Grove. It is just cool, no two ways about it. I would love to see the inside of it too.

just a quick note

2006-12-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is a quick one, as it is midnight Sat/Sun and I am trying to get to bed...but I wanted to make a comment on Hillenblogs latest poll. I helped with it, and so I feel I can comment freely on it.
I cannot believe that the majority of people voting think it is uberweird to kiss a relative on the lips. Granted I agree it depends on the relative, but I don't think it is weird at all. We are talking pecks here, not involved kisses.
I have always kissed my daddy on the lips, and it has never seemed weird to me. I kiss my mom on the cheek, and we have always done it that way, so both seem perfectly normal to me. I used to kiss hillenjr on the lips, but since he is growing up, he put a stop to that, and that is okay too. But I never kiss Sky on the lips, cause she would freak out. In fact recently it happened purely by accident and she nearly went balistic.
Anyway, i just wanted to clarify for my parents, and those who know me, I am not ashamed to kiss relatives on the lips, and if you do it, you shouldn't be either. And I am not gonna stop either, okay daddy?
Well, I am heading off to slumberland, but I have some pictures to blog soon...and new thoughts to share!
Merry Almost Christmas!!!

I can't believe how easy this is....ha ha

2006-12-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'm back!! I could only find one picture for now, and this one has maybe already been on hillenblog, but i wanted to introduce you to one of the best drinks ever---A MochaNut from the Mudhouse.
It is an amazing concoction of coffee, stuff, and hazelnut flavoring, with real whipped cream on top, of course. it is better than a frap, and in my world, that is saying a lot. Cause a frap is a good mood in a cup, that's why! I gotta tell ya, I can almost taste it now.

I am growing my hair out. Just thought I'd tell ya.

Blog Block

2006-12-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

my fingers are poised...hovering over the keyboard...anxiously awaiting some kind of signal from my brain to tell them what to blog about, even tho it's only been three short weeks since my last blog! alas, they wait in vain, for I seem to have "BLOGGER' S BLOCK".
I think my problem is i begin by reading everyone elses blog, and by the time I am ready to update, I can't think of anything to say. My long absence this time has mainly been my lack of time, because I hadn't sat down to read or blog for almost 2 weeks. Of course, I read my immediate family's blogs, if for no other reason than to find out whats going on with them, but i hadn't read anyone elses for so long. so tonight I sat down to read, sure that I would be inspired, but no, nothing, nada... okay, maybe a couple of things.

First, a very good friend of mine (lisa) got me a donny osmond christmas cd this past week. She said she almost left the price tag on, cause it only cost $6.99! Poor Donny! Beyonce's cd next to it was $16.99. I know how he feels.

I haven't yet seen "HAPPY FEET", the newest penguin movie...no one in my family wants to go, and i haven't heard from sybil yet...maybe when it's at the dollar movie. I am not sure I want to spend that much to see an animated movie about penguins. I loved MARCH OF THE PENGUINS so much, and I just don't know if i want to see this one, even tho i have heard it is very good. Ah, delimma, delimma.
I just put a picture in my blog for the very first time...i think I am already addicted. I gotta get a camera. This is my man, no one else like him, don't know what I would do without him. I wonder what other pictures I can find to blog...be back in a minute...

who is that man, mama?

2006-11-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

Today was a great day. First, church...where i had planned to leave right after sunday school and come home and get my house the rest of the way ready for Family Dinner Sunday. By getting ready i mean sweeping the floor, making sure the tiolet was flushed, and shutting everyones bedroom door! But as He sometimes will, the Lord had a completely different plan for me. I ended up staying for church, and sitting by a friend who i hope was as blessed by it as me, and hearing a great message from Pastor Eddie. (We also got to watch mark and scotty try to figure out new software.) I needed the message, and you know what? Turns out I had plenty of time to sweep, and no one noticed if the toilet was flushed or not, or at least no one mentioned it(since I forgot to check) and we had a great lunch with my family.

Yep, today was family dinner Sunday, and we had a great time! George and Linda could not be here, and becky and her kids weren't feeling well, and jon was out of town, so we totally missed having Marks family here. But all my brothers and my sister were able to be here, and we haven't all been together for a long time. Of course, that meant a picture, both of all us kids, and then with mom and dad, with us laughing most of the time. We planned out our christmas next month, and since it is so busy during December, that will be our family dinner sunday as well. So, to any of the family that reads this...thanks for a great day, we missed those who weren't here, and I am looking forward to next time, and the time after that, and the time after that...

Thanksgiving was great as well, and of course you surely know by now we put up a silver tree...I was not so excited about that, but it is growing on me, slowly. It is definitely bright and shiny, and it makes my family happy, so i will love it soon i'm sure.

I cannot believe how fast the past four days have gone. I have enjoyed everyone one, even yesterday, which my husband and kids probably won't believe, but i did.

Elvis is in China!

2006-11-19T06:48:00.000-08:00

Reading Kim Hollands blog about conner's embarrassing comment made me laugh. It also reminded me of two of my favorite stories about my kids.

When skyler was about 3 years old, Mark and I were watching some style show on the E! channel, and sky was playing in the floor, oblivious(or so we thought) to what we were watching.
So some designer was being interviewed about the runway show going on and said "This years fashion focus is on the pelvis and vagina(I hope that isn't offensive to anyone, it is really what he said)and I looked at Mark and said "WHAT DID HE SAY??"
Well, 3 year old skyler looked up at me and said: "He said Elvis is in China!"

That story has been shared with people all over the world, and i'm not kidding! Steve THompson told it to many a person on trips overseas, and many others have shared it also. We still get comments from people about it!

When Barrett was also about 4 yrs old, we were at DMP, in the old building. At that time, there was a person who was rather large, and we were walking out behind him. Barrett looked at Mark and said "Wow dad, that guy is big!" to which mark replied, "Yes, he is tall, isn't he?" Of course, Barrett looked at his dad and said, "yeah, and he's FAT too!"
We just ignored the whole thing and finished walking to the car, and to this day we aren't sure if the person heard us or not. (At least that is what we tell ourselves.)

Kids are funny, aren't they? I could tell you many a story, some that would absolutely embarrass my kids to death...and i am sure they could tell some on me as well.

Time for church, this is the first time in a long time I have actually been ready early! See ya there!

39 and counting...

2006-11-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

Today I am 39 years old...how did that happen? I started celebrating yesterday actually when I got my 1st card in the mail, from my mom and dad. Fun, Fun! Then this morning, Barrett gave me a card on the way to school, Napoleon Dynamite, very funny. A card from Mark waiting for me when I returned from dropping Barrett off... a happy birthday email from Lisa with a picture of her and Jessica with a man who had to be 7 feet tall in a dress made of film strips...a carrot cake(homemade) delivered to work by my mom in law, with a sweet card,and I had a slice of cake right away! Excellent. Then another card under my windshield from Mark, and a card from Jeff, Deb and Stanley, and one from the church in the mail.
Dinner hanging out with the wilson girls, steph,andrew, crystal, tiffany and my kids and mark, THANKS for dinner babe, it was amazing!Skyler, the red velvet cake was so so so GOOD! You are a very talented baker, my dear...thank you for making it for me! Loved my gifts, everyone so thoughtful...penguins, penguins, penguins! I can once again wear the penguin charm that Gma Minnie gave me so many years ago, my 1st Christmas in the family, i am so happy.(wink, wink, Sky)
I must say a special something to my husband...about that donny video. I don't know that I have ever met anyone so thoughtful as you. It may have taken me longer to fall in love with you, but you are more than worth the journey. Donny Osmond was a crush, you are the love of my life. He was unatainnable, you will be with me always. He was never gonna love me back, and you will never stop loving me. You are the real thing, and I would not want to celebrate being almost 40 with anyone else, including Donny Osmond.

...but I do enjoy that video!!!:)

I blogged too soon

2006-11-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

So, Donny Osmond is not gonna be in Branson after all. I noticed the comment from yesterday, and went to the web site. He is in NYC until Dec 24. So, I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but i have no need to go the Branson show now. Here is a copy of an email I got from my new friend, Darlene, thanks for the info.

Hi!

Your blog mentioning Donny Osmond came in on a Google Alert...I see you mentioned he was to be in Branson - he is actually in NY on Broadway playing Gaston in "Beauty & the Beast" - you can check it out here:

http://disney.go.com/theatre/beautyandthebeast/index.html

Under his photo click to see the video interview & some play footage! I saw his first 4 shows & he was fabulous!! In fact, I'm leaving in the morning for NY - he's having a big fan get together on Friday & I'll see 2 more shows.

I just didn't want you to be confused that he was coming to Branson - he's booked in NY until Christmas Eve. Let me know if you have any questions - hope you get to see him in this show!

Take care, Darlene

So, even tho it would have been exciting, I'm over it. Really. It was just Puppy Love anyway.
I would just like to sit and look at him. That's all, honest. I mean, its just a third grade crush, get it? But I do enjoy the White & Nerdy video he is in...

Tonight was volleyball, and I played terrible. The more I played, the worse it gets. But I refuse to be beaten down, and we did win the first game, and since we only had time to play 2 games, it ended in a tie. Oh, and I found out this week that we actually won our games last week, cause the other team did not have enough players and had to forfeit. We really were just playing for fun. Not just pretending to play for fun:)

I thought of something I want for Christmas...I actually mentioned it to laurad and hillenblog last week, but that is about how long my memory and attention span are.
Anyway, i want the Bible on Cd so I can listen in my car. I am driving quite a bit with work, and since talk radio makes me mad, listening to The Word would be much better I think. Laurad, what version did you say again?

Good night, sleep tight, may your dreams come true. Unless they are like the nightmare I had last night, and I am not even kidding...I can't type it and actually see it in print, you'll just have to ask if your curious. Also, watch out for walking scarecrows...they are scary.

Happy November

2006-11-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

Mark just called me and gave me very exciting news...Donny Osmond is gonna be in Branson for shows running thru Christmas...AND WE MAY GO TO A SHOW!!! He is looking into getting tickets now...plus maybe spending the night. In Branson, not with Donny, silly...
I cannot tell you how excited I would be if I really get to see him in person. When I was in the third grade I told all my friends that Donny had been to my house, but my brother told them I was lying. Well, of course I was, but I wanted him to be at my house. I was also sure I would marry him one day, but he married some chick named Debbie, and they have been married a very long time, so I guess not. OH, and I really love being married to hillenblog, so that works too.
I also had the Donny and Marie dolls, you know, like Barbie, and he had purple socks. They also had very big, very white teeth. They were great. I don't wanna say what happened to them, but I think my little sister might have had something to do with it. Maybe.
My mom always let me watch the Donny & Marie show when it was on, even when my brothers wanted to watch Star Trek. Way to go Mom, i still appreciate that!

Tonight is the last football game for Barrett and the Hickory Hills Spartans. Hope we win. It is gonna be so cold, and dark before it even starts. But layers and blankets will make it fun. And
they sell hot chocolate. Not that we ever buy any, but it is nice to know we could!

Christmas is coming, who has their list ready(besides Skyler)? I have no idea...but if I get to see Donny Osmond, I won't even need a Christmas present...

Sorry Laura

2006-10-29T19:07:00.000-08:00

So was today the perfect fall/winter day ever???Today is what I mean when I say I hate cold. Today was not cold at all, in fact it is 9:00 pm and 64 degrees outside! This was the perfect fall day, at least weather wise. Actually, except for the pictures on hillenblog that were not supposed to be blogged ( hence the title of MY blog), it was a great day all around.

I know some of you were thinking I was gonna break my promise, but here I am, late at night, blogging to keep my promise. I can't promise greatness or profoundness, but a blog I can deliver.

Do you like knock knock jokes? I do. Some of course are better than others...but it is neat to hear little kids telling the same knock knock that I told when I was their age. (Yes, my children, there were jokes when I was a kid.) It's also funny to tell my kids a polack(how do you spell that word???) joke because they don't have a clue what I am talking about. Now instead of an American, a German, and a Polack go into a bar, its a brunette, redhead and a blonde...basically the same jokes, just different fall guys, I guess. Although some blonde jokes are funnier than the polack jokes ever were.

The kids just got home from flag football superbowl, and i am gonna see how long it takes for one of them to ask me how long I will be on here. Okay, Barrett just asked, but only cause he is reading over my shoulder, and sky is using the other one. So much for that one.

Fall Fest is this Tuesday, 6:00 pm and hillen and I have a room with the gooey guts. Kind of like a duck pond, only with pumpkin guts and intestines...cool huh? Be sure to come by and see us, I think Burch maybe is helping too. If you don't have a job already, feel free to come by and help us, we are for sure gonna be the coolest room. probably.

I can't believe it is already November on Wednesday. This year has flown by. I will soon be 39 years old, and as I have said many times, I am not sure how it has happened so fast. I was sharing a story tonight after church about one time when JB was still on republic road, and Nancy and I were working together. This little old lady, probably in her 80's came in to look for something, and when she got ready to leave, she took out her plastic head scarf and put it on, and headed out the door. Nancy looked at me, I looked at her, and she said, "What age are you when you wake up and say'Today i am gonna buy myself a plastic headscarf!'" I mean, I remember my grandma having a plastic headscarf, and even tho she seemed old at the time, she really couldn't have been very old...50? 60? I just can't see myself with one. But maybe I will feel differently some day...after all, never thought every picture of me would have a double chin in it either!!

Well, gotta go read the newest blog from none other than our own Jen Cleaver...nice to have ya around Jen. Everyone have a great week, okay? Pray for Patrick Ngei, and the other pastors. and vote no on admentment 2 on November 7. Seriously.

Little ole lady who?

2006-10-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

I only have a few minutes before I have to go get Skyler from the boys and girls club, where she is volunteering thru Old Navy, but I wanted to let you know I am aware I have not blogged in FOREvvvvvvER, but I plan to remedy that this weekend. So this is short and not even sweet, but at least you know i am gonna post.

I got to tell some new people the penguin story today, it is still the best story ever!

It is cold, rainy and windy. Just like Fall is supposed to be, right? See, that is not complaining, just stating the facts, jack.

Okay, gotta go. I will post more later...this weekend...promise.

Baby it's cold outside

2006-10-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

So last night as I stepped out of church, i quickly thought to myself--"Whoa, is it like 2 degrees out here or what?" of course it wasn't but it was cold enough to make my teeth chatter! And this morning, after I took Barrett to school, the song Baby, its cold outside started singing in my brain. That thought of course, made me think of christmas muzak at Jellybeans, and that made me realize that in about 2 weeks the christmas music will be playing at JB, and i will miss it. I had to call Jenny today and tell her about it.
It is funny how we mark time passing in different stages of our lives. when you are little, it is just day or night. But when you go to school, it is summer vacation, labor day weekend, thanksgiving holiday, christmas vacation, easter and then finally memorial day that seem to be the markers.
Then as you get older, maybe it your college schedule, or if you are working, legal holidays may mark the time passing. (this is of course, not counting birthdays, births of children, marriage, etc, just a thought i was having.
When I worked at Jellybeans, time could be measured by holidays, or Zutano arrivals, but mostly by Easter pictures with the bunnies, and christmas pictures. You knew it was gonna be a wild 1-2 months of taking appointments, which for easter began in jan or feb, and for christmas, began in september when we sent out our birthday postcard. then when the picture week for christmas arrived, usually the 1st week in november, the christmas music would be on. Not that i don't like christmas music, i really do, but it was funny how many times you would hear a song, sometimes 5 times in one day, just done by different people. Jenny today mentioned how much she loved the Elvis songs--NOT--and it made me just a little sad that I won't be hearing them. And you could count on the music being changed 1st thing January 2nd! Here is wishing JB the most successful shopping season yet! I love you guys!

I haven't figured out how time is marked at my new job, except by ad deadlines!

Kent and Ethan are here tonight, Ethan announced he was staying for 7 DAYS as he walked thru the door, and seemed happy about it! Kent had alot of homework, and i have to say, i still hate math, and am still not good at it, cause guess what, it is all different, that's why!

Mark and Barrett are playing volleyball, hopefully I will play next week, sky is there to watch and fill me in on the competition...good luck everyone..i just hope I can serve the ball!

I know you were not expecting another post so soon...keep those expectations low, 'k? :)

WOW

2006-10-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it had been awhile since I read the blogs, let alone wrote one. Lots going on, eh? Drinking vs. not drinking, What will Lucy be, how fast do you shower, Hook em Horns, hey, look, its me driving, laurad is a yahtzee phenomenon, nb is (gasp) 27!, just a few more days til NYC, handsome rob is anything but a nerd, and toyhelen is a halloween fooll! And that is not even 1/2 of it. I gotta keep up better.

We had a great weekend, nothing to do but laundry on Saturday, so that is almost done :), and then a fun evening of chili and friends on Sat. night at the Jeppsens.
Sunday was singing for Pastor Rogers, a great message, and a short walk in the hall getting to know Pastor Eddie a little better.

This has been a good week so far, pretty laid back. All that is about to change, cause we are keeping the Liles boys while j and b go to a conference in oregon. The Liles girl is going to spend the week with gma h, except for a slumber party on Friday night with the hooge kids.
Now, I am not saying it is hard keeping the nephews, and nieces, but it is definitly harder than when it is just my own teenagers. There is a reason I am finished having babies, but we love to have them come stay with us, and how cool is it that they like it, and that jon and bec ( and min & per) trust us with the most valuable treasures they have?

I feel i must clarify something...I don't really hate fall, mostly just the fact that winter is next. I would love it if the coldest it got was 70 and the sunset was not until 8:30. But i do enjoy the colors of the leaves, watching them fall, but not raking. I do enjoy the way the sky just looks like fall when it has big clouds in the blue...just different from summer sun/clouds somehow. I do love turning off the air conditioner, and opening the windows. And I do love the smells of fall, fireplaces and leaves burning, pumpkin pies baking, or candles that make it smell like it.
things like that. I guess it is knowing that it will get colder than 70( 50 should not be the high), and that the sun will soon be setting at 5:30 that I don't like. But I will try not to complain...after all, this is where God has me, i should celebrate it, right?

Orange, cause its fall, get it?

I miss seeing my friend Jenny W, who works at JB. That is not all of course, i could just do a blog on all the things and people i miss. But I have to say, I love my job. It is a little different every day, and i really like being out and about on the days i have to be. It is funny, because i was so scared at first, and some things still make me nervous, but i really thought at first, will i ever not have a stomach ache? But now, if my stomach hurts, it is cause i need to eat, ate too much, or am singing...the same old reasons it used too!!! I am learning things everyday, and let me tell you if i had my own camera to take pics with, i would absolutely be able to post them on my blog, cause i learned about that at work, that's how!

great bible study on Daniel on Wednesday nights, kinda scary, tho, cause it is gonna get really convicting, i believe...since it is already. See ya there.

That is all for now, no more saying i will blog again soon, who wants to be a liar?

I am afraid to blog

2006-09-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Having a blog is a great responsiblity. It makes me afraid. I told someone when I first started blogging, that I just knew I would end up offending someone, that I would never have anything to blog about, because I am so cynical about things and people, and even tho this is my blog, I won't ever be able to really vent on it. AND I WAS RIGHT!!! Oh, I haven't offended anyone, at least not that you or anonymous has commented to me, but man, my familia sure has! And I am sure someone has gotten mad or aggravated at the very least at me. And, let me tell you, it sorta put me off blogging, in fear of being offensive. Even to those who maybe need called to the carpet. Which is sometimes me.

But, I find I miss it. Not everyday, but enough to try it again. And also cause I can say "Hi Daddy" in the middle of my blog and he will reply. Also, "Tell mom I love her." So, even tho most times i don't have anything worthy to say, or what i want to say is mean, I will not. Say it, I mean. I will blog.

My job is great. Just in case you were wondering...I think I have the hang of most of it...and it's fun. I am learning a lot, and that is fun too. And, Friday is denim day, so that is even better! :)

Last week was great. The missions conference was wonderful. Lisa and Gary, and everyone who helped you, You all did a great job. It was great to get to see all the missionaries, the tour guide idea was perfect. It was a great length, not too short, not too long. Always interesting. And Sunday was just great all around. Great music, great message, love the candlelighting... wonderful lunch guests, and what a pie auction, Pastor, you are a really good sport.

That is all for now. Not much of a blog, but at least you know i am still alive and kicking. Usually mark, but that is a whole different blog.

Big brother is over, when does survivor start?

2006-09-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Boogie won, yeah!!!!Ok, now what? I am feeling that let down feeling of no new reality (said with a smile) show to watch. When does the new survivor start?

I do not like Fall. It is cold, gets dark too early, and means winter is not far away. But one thing I do love is the anticipation of a new season of TV. Yes, i know I watch way too much TV, but with DVR, you watch so much faster!. I am anxiously awaiting LOST, Everybody hates Chris, and viewing new shows, deleting the ones that don't measure up. I love it, I love, it, I love it!

So last Sunday was the first "Sunday Family Dinner" and let me be the 1st to say, it was great! We had all of our family, at least all that could be there, and everyone had at least a good time I think!We have already planned the next one, Oct 22, and i am already excited! It was crowded, but it was great to be with everyone.

Favorite new snack...pistachios...roasted, salty in the shell. YUM

The funniest story evvvvvver.

2006-09-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe I have not posted this story yet. It is a true story, told to me by my friend jenny's sister, Julie, and happened to julies friend. Got that?

Julie's friend lives in Savannah Georgia, which is about 5 hours away from Atlanta. Well, there is a new aquarium in Atlanta, which is like the largest in the states, maybe even the world. So the friends church decided to take the children in the church to this aquarium on a day trip.

The friend went to pick up her little boy after the bus got back, and noticed he was not being himself, very withdrawn, would not look her in the eye, and did not want to talk. So of course being a mom, she is frightened something awful happened to him.

She sits him down, and asks what is wrong, he says nothing, she says did you have fun, he says yeah, but still does not look at her or want to talk. She asks him "Did someone hurt you, did they touch you, say something mean to you, what is wrong?" But he just tells her he is okay, and he is gonna go watch TV.

So she goes to unpack his backpack from the trip. She picks it up, unzips it and finds:

A REAL LIVE BABY PENGUIN IS IN THE BOYS BACKPACK!!!!

Yep, her son stole a baby penguin from the aquarium!!! The mom got on the phone immediatley and the aquarium people sent a truck to pick it up and told her how to care for it. I have to tell you, i want to meet this boy and shake his hand. And i would not have called the aquarium, i would have been online looking up"How to care for your very own baby penguin"!

Needless to say, because of this boy or not, the penguins which used to roam among the visitors at the aquarium now are behind glass.

This is the best story ever. That boy is my hero.

Saturday off

2006-09-02T15:11:00.000-07:00

Well, this is the first of many Saturdays where don't have to work. At Jb, you didn't have to work every saturday, but you always knew there was one coming up. Anyway, i had been excited about sleeping in on this momentous day, since my body is still not happy with the 6am revele. But as the Lord surely has a sense of humor, mark and I were up at 6:30,(that is NOT considered sleeping in, by the way.) to go to Branson to meet the family jeweler. Davidson's Jewelers, Larry to be exact made my engagement ring for Mark 17 years ago, and 2 weeks ago we had to take it back for repairs. It had split in two on the bottom, and a couple of prongs had worn away. So he fixed it, and Mark had him add a couple stones to it!!! It is so pretty and i am so glad Larry was willing to meet us early this morning so we could pick it up. He and his wife were heading out of town for the weekend, and weren't even open today! Anyway, the ring is so pretty, and i am so excited to be able to wear it again. Mark told me to not expect jewelry every saturday tho, ha ha.

Mark and i spent most of today together, just us. Sky had to work, and barrett stayed home. Even tho we just went to the mall so he could get his hair cut and to the grocery store, we had fun being just us. We did go to oceans zen for lunch...and with the aforementioned ring, it really has been a great day so far, and it is only 5:15!

My job is going well, I don't feel as lost as I felt tuesday, wed and thurs. I am sure i will continue to have questions, but lisa told me to quite stressing so much. And Annette told me I was walking around with a "deer in the headlights" look on my face...so i am trying to calm down. I went to put up some riders on some properties, and first one out, dropped a bolt, and then couldn't find it. I am sure i looked pretty funny trying to comb the grass looking for it! Then, i went to ozark and got lost looking for the correct road, which was not far off the highway, once i found it! But it was still fun, and i am excited about the things i am learning. Mark bought me a tool kit, and i feel pretty cool driving around with that, and, he is letting me use the TomTom if i need it!:)

Well, three day weekend, picnic after church...see ya there!

ps...isn't the new profile sign cute?

that is not a picture of my choosing

2006-08-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

okay, the longhorns logo is not my choice, it is hillenjr's. And I do not know how to change it.
And, since my head is swimming with all the things i am learning at my new job (more on that later) i am not gonna deal with it right now. :)

Later is now. I started a new job yesterday. It has been 7 years since I really had to learn anything new in relation to an employment position. And A LOT is computer. And, i know some computer, but i am feeling kinda lost about now. Knowing however, that i will feel less lost as time goes by, and some day not even have to "think" about my next step. It has been nice however, my prayer life had not been what it should be, but in the last week i have really started to talk to the Lord way more, not just about my job, but about my family, friends, church, just getting closer to Him. I need to feel like i can just share everything with Him, and we are so close he will know just what i am talking about. (I know he is all knowing, but you know what i mean)

My new job is at AR Wilson Realtors. I am still part time, but Saturdays off, and will usually be finished by 2 in the afternoon on weekdays. I am excited, but as I mentioned before, so much(everything) is new and i am feeling pretty old. Luckily, i know everyone, and everyone is very nice and they don't seem to mind my endless questions. Thanks Bryan!

I will of course miss jellybeans immensly(sp). It is a great place to work, and i don't think it has really hit me i don't anymore, since i only worked a couple days a week there. It amazes me that i spent 7 years there, and at the same time seems like only yesterday that all of us were in NYC and talking about my new job.

School started monday, and i realized sunday night, that despite all my blogging about my alone time, it will not be as available now, but i think i am okay with that. Having to learn new things has also made me appreciate my kids and their homework more, and i will still have some time alone, just not all day. So i will try not to whine.

Last thing for now: My brother-in-law, Perry, brought me a really cool tray from the Phillipines.It is so pretty, but i could not decide what to put in it. It really needs a coffee table to sit on, or breakfast served on it to someone in bed. But instead, for now, i have a giant disney coloring book and 3 packages of crayons sitting in it in our living room. Anyone wanna color?

Singing in the Brain

2006-08-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

This is the title of a book mark saw while in a barnes&noble in KC. he suggested i use it as my blogs title, should i ever start a new one. Well, since i barely keep up with this one, i just changed its title. Likie, no likie?

Some schools started today. Please do not take this the wrong way, but i cannot wait until ours does. I love my kids and i love summer, but i am so ready for a few hours by myself. And as any mom/wife who works even part time outside her home knows, work does not count as by yourself.

I love, love, love being by myself. I am a terrible friend because of that, i know. I do not enjoy chatting on the phone, at least not for a long time. And i don't mind spending time alone. My family does not always understand that, i know. Neither do some friends. But i have at least one that does, she will remain nameless since i have not asked permission to use her as an example. But i know it is true because we were just talking about this last week. :)

On the trip to kc, of course there was no alone time. The trip was fine, between sky and b argueing, and mark and b argueing, i am sure a great time lurked somewhere. Not that i was the perfect wife and mother on the trip, so changes could have been made all around. Let's just say, i am in no hurry for any more road trips any time soon.

Mark did buy me an amazingly cool ring while we were on this trip. It is stainless steel with a perdoit(?) stone. the stone is held in place by pressure from the sides of the ring. It is so cool and the stone is green which i love. And, soon we will take my engagement ring to the davidsons jewelry in branson, so they can fix it. I cannot wait to be able to wear it again, i have really missed it.

Time for the ortho for b, so i will stop for now. Maybe more after we get back.

stealing from sky

2006-08-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

so, i have decided to steal skywritings idea of just blogging about my week. Surely she won't mind, imitation is the best form of flattery, you know.

Sunday, end of fair, see previous blog.

Monday, worked. Jenny is back from vacation, and we were busy all day. Zutano in, not all on shelf yet, which really bothers me, but we were so, so busy. Customers come first, even when you don't want them too!:) Barrett and mark went to b's ballgame while i went grocery shopping. left home at 7:30 or so, got back after 10. And, just so you know, walmart does not sell brick chili anymore, major let down for us since it is a main ingredient in cream tacos. WHich we eat all the time.

Tuesday, as sky mentioned my sisters kids were here. They slay me every time we are with them. We all went to walmart again to buy an air mattress, because hayley was comin over, that's why! ANd that poor girl either sleeps in the chair or someone ends up on the hardwood floor, and that could not continue. So we bought an air mattress that can be two twins, a twin with two layers, or a king size. and it wraps up in to its own pouch. ANd a battery operated air pump. So so fun!

Wednesday, more work, just me and jenny. Busy again, not as much as monday. But busy enough that the Zutano is still not finished. then on to the Talburts, for hillenburg tacos. We love making them for people, just not the way the house smells the next day. So it was great to get to make them for hometeams. And Jenny talburt made that great cake she makes. It is amazingly good. Rich and refreshing at the same time. Then when we left, chris and jenny gave everyone a 24 pack of new crayons!!! I am up to three right now, and it is so exciting.

Thursday, no work, just hanging out at home with barrett and a little shopping last night as sky mentioned. By the way i had to take the shelves back, no hardware to be found in the box. But i also got the okay to purchase some this weekend if i find them, because that Zutano is not finished yet. I guess it is a good problem to have, so much business you can't get to it. But considering it sells almost as fast as we can put it out, we need it on the floor. ANyway...

Here it is , Friday. Off again today, so slept in really late. We have got to start school schedule next week, ha ha. Went and got checks from our fair jobs, took the shelves back to Target, and now i am headed to automagic to clean the van before the big trip to KC(yes sky i am excited)
Tonight is a wedding rehearsal, and then tomorrow, putting in the baseboards and singing in said wedding at 3:00, then off to the north.

We will not be in church again on sunday, but i am looking forward to getting to be in big church next week, i have heard only great things about "new" dan, and cannot wait to hear pastor. Not to mention spending time in the High Octane class for a visit.

WEll, that is my week at a glance, see ya next week.

the fair is over, hallelujah

2006-08-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

As per my daughters orders, mom either blog or withdraw yourself.
So, here goes.
The fair is over, hallelujah.
Can't wait to do it again next year, although i would enjoy a back stage pass next time. If i like the talent coming in.
Burch and Lotz are a joy to work for.
Men don't like pink armbands, even when you tell them it really sets off their eyes.
Truck and tractor pulls are very very very loud, you should never give away your earplugs.
Also, you should not take babies to truck and tractor pulls.
Some men have an exceeding amount of hair on their arms. and really big wrists.
It is a scary thing to think you are gonna have to put two armbands together in order to fit around a womans wrist. it is scarier than man arm hair.
Corn dogs are better when they are hand dipped. and that lemonade was the best i have ever had.
Lawn mower races are not childs play. Or fun.
Three Dog Night may be old, but they still got the pipes.
"Austin" is still a great song.
It would be cooler if we had the fair in the fall.
Being a girl, i have never gotten to be an usher. it is harder than it looks.:)
I love, love love the slaw dogs. Although not as much as Blake Shelton.
Evidently it takes liquor to make a country singer an entertainer.
I saw 2 people I graduated high school with today, haven't seen one in at least 15 years, and almost that long for the other. Cool beans!
Seeing a calf being born was the coolest thing I have ever seen. Even cooler cause they had to pull it out. That is hard work, and kudos to the young men and women at the birthing center who let us all watch, even when it is aggitating the mother cow.
and the best thing about the fair, at least one of them, was getting to hang out with friends, both old and new.
And trying to spot my husband from the grandstand and smiling great big when i found him, even tho he couldn't see.

catching up

2006-07-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

Many days have passed since my last blog. Sometimes i wish i had not started...it was much easier to just read the other blogs, and not have the pressure of writing one. But here goes...

I found a penguin calendar yesterday...of course i bought it. It goes from August until december of next year, which is great, but the august thru november calendars are all on one page, which makes for very small writing areas. But still, the penguins make it worth it. if you have not seen the movie "March of the Penguins" i would either borrow it from me, or go to the showing of it at Founders park on August 11. It is a wonderful little movie.

So, i actually wore a swim suit and played volleyball at the jeppsens house. Who knew what fun i had been missing? A very brave bat made many appearances as well, and it was one of the scariest and coolest things i have ever seen. by the way, matt, i thought i knew how to store pictures on my camera, but i actually did not, so no worries about the picture of you in the glasses. I can't tell you how disappointed i am about that.

the lake last weekend was, as we fully anticipated, wonderful fun. The stop at Walmart supercenter in branson west was great, and the tubing was so fun (I watched of course, no tubing for me) and the weather was great. The evening spent with friends and family was a great ending to the day, and Charlotte's corn is the best thing ever. And lisa, morgan and steve made some amazing smoothies, I have been thinking about them ever since.

Only one more sunday in the monkey class for me, and then i rejoin big church. I am at the same time sad and excited. I am visiting the varsity and jv classes for SS for the 1st few weeks, then i will have to decide about a class...but it will be nice to see what my kids are up to. I must say I am very thankful to the teachers in the jv and varsity areas, my kids love church, and you are a big reason why. I am looking forward to getting re-aquainted with the classes. The sad part is of course, leaving the kids in my class. I love the ages i have, they still think you are smart and usually funny. And most of them are excited to see you outside of the classroom, although some seem confused to find out that I don't live in the monkey room, and actually go other places.

the fair starts in 2 days. I am working evenings, and i hear nick burns is my boss. That is fine and dandy, but i am still a little afraid to tell someone they have to move out of the aisle, and cannot stand on the bleachers(if indeed that is true). also, because of vacation time taken by employees of jellybeans, i am working alot of days there, and will get to the fair later than most of the other workers. Mostly I am doing this so i can see my husband during the 10 days of the fair. He will be there from 8 am til midnight every night. I am hoping to not have to be there until midnight, as i am not a good night person, but perhaps hangin' with some who are night owls will rub off on me. Probably not. i will try to be in a good mood!

Skyler goes to camp next week, i will miss her sorely, but she will be having a blast. I cannot believe she is a junior.

well, that about sums it up for now. Oh, by the way, the kitchen is back to the way i changed it yesterday, we will see how it works. That is all I am gonna say about that.

baseball

2006-07-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

tonight is the second night in a row I have been to a springfield cardinals game. And i want you all to know, i did not even take a book!! I did take a people magazine both nights ( the same issue, which happens to be my last of 4 free issues, and i have already written CANCEL on my invoice, thank you very much) but I did not even read it at all, i kept it in my purse last night, and only used it as a fan tonight. I actually watched the whole game, 1st to 9th innings, and enjoyed myself very much! Both nights, did you hear me, both nights! I know you are all as excited as I am!

then, after the game tonight, we went to acambaro, where we spent some time getting to know Lindsey, our waitress, better. She is pre med. Very nice, and we also asked her how late is too late to come in. she of course, did not want to answer, but my family will not go in later than 9:30, if they are closing at 10. Just to be nice.Cause i used to be a waitress eons ago, and it always made me mad when people came in 10 minutes before closing time. and tonight, if we took out the time that we spent visiting with lindsey and talking to some people mark used to go to church with, we were probalbly done in 20 minutes. so 9:30 would put us out at 9:50, and that is just fine. AND, we ate for $10.58 before tip. that is w/o skyler, but still, it is the cheapest place for our family to eat in this town!! I love that place!

10th inning is over, all except for the party and the swimming, for another summer. This is barretts last year, he is officially too old for it. Doesn't seem possible. of course, he has park board baseball, and football coming up really soon, so he'll keep busy!

Well, i am sleepy, and church is tomorrow, so see ya.:)

the library

2006-07-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

we just got back from the library. by we, i mean me, sky, barrett, elijah, anna and sophie. All of us. At the same time. We went to the library station, which is my favorite location. And, the kids love it too. They play in the train, anna and eli go right on in, sophie has to be convinced that it is not really gonna leave the station first, but after that, she is fine. Sophie played for a while, and then went to find a book. she came back with Peter Rabbit. she sat and looked at the pictures, and then told me she needed to find one for anna. Very soon, she came back with a second copy for anna. Which means at the tender age of almost 4, she remembered where she had gotten the first copy. My heart was very glad, because I think she is perhaps a natural born reader. The funniest part is she said "anna will love this." and ran off to give it to her. Anna said thank you sophie, and promptly laid it on the bench inside the train,and kept on playing. However, i did notice that she had it when we went to check out, so maybe she will be a reader too.
we, really skyler, found the junie b jones section, which she then read out loud on the way home.Cause that girl is our favorite, that's why. My favorite lines so far from Junie b jones smells something fishy are: Where's the justice in that, Helen? and You did the best you could, old man. Somehow being an obnoxious, bratty, smart alec kid seems okay when its junie b.
We could read her all day.
I also finally got the brochure to join the best sellers club. I think they automatically put on the hold list for the authors you pick when a new book is available. Maybe now i will be the 700th hold on the 1st book returned instead of the 770th. Small pleasures, people, small pleasures.
So, have you been to the libray lately? What is your favorite location? Just wondering.

I'm baaaack...

2006-07-05T20:31:00.001-07:00

Remember poltergeist? That was one scary movie...and alot of people who made that movie died in mysterious ways...oooh, scary. Also, this is not my topic just the lead in nonsense, but Pet Semetary is one of two books i could not finish because it is so scary. Couldn't finish the movie either. The other book is Bram Stoker's Dracula. It was written in the 1800's and still managed to scare me so bad i had to sleep with the lights on for days. And i still couldn't finish it.

Anyway, boys and girls, todays topic is ...NEW CRAYONS!!!

I love everything about them! The smell, the look of new wrappers around sharp, brand new colors, big ones, small ones, the 8 pack or the 120 pack in its very own school box...oh, it is so wonderous.

I loved getting new crayons for school, and i know there were times when i could have just used the box from the year before...but i always loved new crayons, and my parents always let me get new. Not always the big box i wanted, and i clearly remember cynthia ash getting the biggest box available back then, the one with the sharpner in the back. but somehow i survived with the 48 pack, and have lived to tell you all how much i still love the crayon, so i guess all is well that ends well and all that.
Any one who has been to my house knows that i do not live to do housework, and really don't like i should, so you may find it suprising how much messy crayons bother me. I may not mind having laundry in basket, or a few dishes in the sink, but i cannot stand a messy box of crayons.
I hate it when you have no choice but to peel the paper back so you can keep coloring, it totally ruins the look of the crayon, and if it breaks in two or something tragic like that, well, forget it.
Just go out and buy a new box, cause the whole effect is now ikky.
Honestly, the kids from the monkey class last year quickly learned to be nice with the crayons, cause miss cindy and miss mindy won't let you color if your not! Okay, okay, it wasn't that bad, but seriously, we both groaned out loud when one got broken, or the paper torn off! Currently, i do not have any crayons of my own, and really not so much time to color, but i think i will ask for crayons and a coloring book for my stocking for christmas this year!

Oh, and not rose brand crayons, or any off brand please...spend the extra and get the 120 count in its very own crayola school box from Crayola Brand Crayons. I promise it is worth the expense!

Something to think about...if someone were really thinking of a tattoo, and it would have to be a penguin, very simple, where should one get it? No yukky comments please. I am not saying that it is imminent or anything, just asking...

okay, long post. Was gonna say more but there's always tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day. The sun will come out tomorrow. Will you still love me tomorrow?...somebody stop me!