wordle

I got nothin

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

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.

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...

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

Everything old is new again

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.