Guatemala

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.

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

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.

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...

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!

Anna #2, but we are gonna call her NAOMI

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.