Simple Woman's Daybook

Wow, this is the last one of the year...when did that happen?? Sorry if this one is a bit sentimental. ; )

FOR TODAY...December 29, 2008

Outside my window...I see my mother who is almost 61, playing in the backyard with the boys....if she thinks no one is looking, she might climb up on the new trampoline...LOL!

I am thinking...that each year seems to fly by faster and faster, leaving less time for reflection, prayer, reading, playing, and family time

I am thankful for...my boys who grow bigger each day and soon will be grown and gone

From the learning rooms...it's still Christmas break, but we have made many batches of cookies, played many games (some educational and some not...LOL) watched some movies and spent many happy hours visitng with the grandparents

From the kitchen...I smell lovely oatmeal choc chip cookies coming out of the oven and for dinner, BLTs on multigrain bread with spring mix for the lettuce...won't Jodi be thrilled??

I am wearing...jean capris, a t shirt, monkey socks and my hair in a bun....so frumpy I've become...that's a new year's resolution...hee hee

I am creating...thanks you notes, resolutions, and craziness...ha ha

I am going...no where for the next few days...just trying to soak up as much of my parents as I can

I am reading...the Bible, Humor for a Sister's Heart and That's Not My Monkey

I am hoping...to make more time in my schedule for playing and reading with my kiddos, restarting date night, and better eating this year than last...baby steps!!

I am hearing...my great niece, hollering, dogs barking, the humidifier puffing, happy kids on the trampoline and the oven timer beeping saying that the cookies are done.

Around the house...we are getting ready to take down the holiday decorations, unpacking Jodi's stuff from the truck and still finding homes for all the new Christmas things. Anybody know how to work an Ipod??

One of my favorite things...parents who love me!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Nothing but hanging out...then getting back on our routines after visitors departure...sigh***

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Simple Woman's Daybook

If you enjoy this blog, read others of the same type by going to http://www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY ... December 23, 2008

Outside my window... It is pitch black, the temp is dropping and the wind is howling, it's so nice to be inside!

I am thinking...that I should get my sick self to bed for some much needed rest

I am thankful for...My parent's safe arrival and several more days to enjoy them

From the learning rooms...we are taking our Christmas break but baking and having life lessons, plus playing games with Grandma and PaPa

From the kitchen...Yummy things are coming out of the kitchen all day...we are making caramel rolls tomorrow for Christmas breakfast

I am wearing...My work clothes, Dark brown slacks, and orange Henley and deck shoes

I am creating...Aprons, baked goods, cards, letters and stress for Dan as I fret about being ready in time and still staying on budget

I am going...to the Christmas Eve service and then NO WHERE!!

I am reading...Bible, How Does a Dinosaur Eat? and That's NOT my Dinosaur

I am hoping...to be well in time to enjoy my parents visit and the Christmas Adventure!

I am hearing...The humidifier gurgling to tell me that it needs more water, but other that that...all is quiet

Around the house...everything is ready except for the few surprises for the boys that Dan will put in place after they go to bed tomorrow night!!

One of my favorite things..my life right now....so glad I hung in there for the tough times...that is being rewarded these days...thank you Jesus!

A few plans for the rest of the week: As little as possible except squeeze every last minute out of my parents being here...the kids are sooo excited about it...me, too!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...=David spent about 3 hours working on this...he was quite excited about it!!

Queen for day...that's me!

As many of you know, turning 35 didn't thrill me, so my wonderful family made it the best day possible. I woke up to breakfast in bed, courtesy of David and Patrick...I even got to eat cookies for breakfast...yeah me! I got up and wrapped a gift or two and then wandered out to survey the damage to the kitchen and found that there was none! Double hurray! I lounged around until lunchtime, mostly directing traffic as Dan and the boys helped finish making the house sparkle for Mom and Dad's visit. Then Jodi went and picked up lunch so I didn't have to make or clean up after lunch either. I finished a few small things like putting the finishing touches on my Christmas letter, addressing envelopes and hiding from Dan who was on a cleaning frenzy with the new vacuum...LOL! Everyone in the regular 'gang' came over and then the real party started...Charlie and Devin came over to make my dinner....seriously, does your life get ANY BETTER than a man coming over to make you dinner?? He made Chicken Cordon Bleu, Corn on the cob and a big crunchy salad...YUM~O!! Then Dan and Karen did all the dishes before I opened my gifts. Since Charlie and Devin aren't coming over on Christmas day, we let them open their gifts also...Devin got the Chuzzle he had been asking for and Charlie got lots of new clothes that he had been needing. Then it was my turn...I got several lovely cards, a new work shirt and the best gift was from Dan...he gave me new wedding rings...How on earth did I ever get so lucky?? I mean blessed...he is so thoughtful...my rings broke years ago and though I've had a ring or two since, I've never had actual wedding rings again....*sigh of contentment** So in addition to the gifts that were wrapped, I also got a full day off of kitchen duty...I had a hard time staying out! Several of my friends called to wish me well and I really just had one of those days where you just can't imagine your life being any better than it is right at that moment...those are the days to treasure!

Simple Woman's Daybook~December 15, 2008

I find this type of blog keeps me focused and on track...and gives a frame of reference into my life as I can look back over the past weeks and compare. Interesting...hhmmmm! To read other blogs of this kind, click on the picture, or go to www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY December 15, 2008

Outside my window...it is cool and a bright blue sky is coming to light as the sun rises over the mountains, the last few leaves drift lazily to the ground and winter is here at last

I am thinking...that Christmas is the BEST time of year

I am thankful for...new carpet, old friends and the anticipation that my parents will be here in 6 days...woohoo!!

From the learning rooms...we are cramming before the coming break. Many projects and papers to do...better get going on that one!

From the kitchen...haystacks today...more baking all week and easy meals to save energy for more important things

I am wearing...my PJs still...shh don't tell!!

I am creating...A master list of addresses so I can mail my Christmas letter...better hurry on that, too!

I am going...nowhere except to work on M and W..hurray for a week at home!

I am reading...The Bible and my Christmas letter and many blogs of this type

I am hoping...to wake up one day and find that 45 pounds are gone! LOL!

I am hearing...Titus cooing and playing with a rattle, James, Derek and Casey playing with cars in the LR, the dryer and Dave and pat complaining about me saying it's a no TV week...they HATE those...at least for the first day, then they enjoy the extra games they can play, outside time, and book reading.

Around the house...much to do... secrets to finish off, a bit of wrapping left to do and letters to mail out, plus all the usual things

One of my favorite things...Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things ; )

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just the last of the Christmas prep..reading the advent book with the boys each night, and getting the house in order so we are ready for guests!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Things that makes you say, "Aaawwwwwww!" A nap with Daddy...isn't that the best??

I got an AWARD....thanks Deanna!

Look at me!! I got the Kreativ Blogger Award from my pal over on Cafemom, Deanna! Thanks Deanna....sometimes I labor over this thing and fuss about what to include, what to skip over, what to share and how to share it...then I wonder if anyone reads it besides me...LOL! But even if no one else does, it's a great way to review my life as it unfolds and I really like that. So thanks for the encouragement to keep going, D! Doesn't everyone need a bit of encouragement once in a while? So, now I shall redouble my efforts to make this great...happy reading everyone!

Hugs Around While Grace Abounds,

Kristy

Busy, Busy, BUSY!! ...and other random thoughts

This has been a busy week...with all the holiday stuff going on, preparing for visitors, last minute shopping, Jodi's handbell concerts, a birthday party for Devin, working 3 nights, (all of them late nights) Christmas baking...(yummy!) and all the regular stuff...church, AWANAs, school, taking care of the house, kids, hubby and friends...Christmas sure is a busy time! Anywho...I decided to take time to write my Christmas letter this week, and it turned out great if I do say so myself. Those of you who actually know me and are held near and dear to my heart, expect yours in the mail soon. We also got new carpet today, so all the hustle and bustle of emptying 3 VERY FULL bedrooms and closets to make room for that added to the FUN that was yesterday. My 35th b-day is coming up next week and it's throwing me for a loop...feels like I should have done something marlevous, fantastic, earth shaking or life altering with myself by now...but then as I look at the happy faces of my kiddos and Dan..I remember that I AM, have been and will continue to be doing something fantastic, wonderful and life altering with myself. We are all getting anxious about Mom and Dad coming...they will be here next Sunday...Woo Hoo! 7 months is WAY too long! I have a very busy work schedule next week and I may just call in a night or two...Kohl's will go on without me. Not really sure what this next week holds...probably as much school as I can squeeze in, some extra sleep for the boys, more baking...zucchini bread anyone?, more Christmas specials on TV, bunches of sorting boxes after dragging everything out and deciding once again that we have WAY too much stuff, and some good family time. OK, this really is a random blog...so random that it;'s getting on my nerves, so I will sigh off and come back later when it's not 2:30 in the morning and I'm 3/4 asleep.
Love to all!!
Kristy

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...December 8, 2008

Outside my window...It is dark because I am so late in posting this....LOL! But is is cool and windy, and it rained twice today even though most of the day was bright and sunny.

I am thinking... that I am too much to do to ever accomplish it in the time frame that I would like!

I am thankful for... cool nights to snuggle in front of the fire, a handy hubby who can fix nigh onto ANYthing and NEW CARPET!! Hurray!

From the learning rooms...we are headed into the last few weeks of school before PaPa and Grma show up for Christmas holidays...time to get down to business! Of course, the printer wouldn't work today...LOL! SO we did a day of 'alternative activities' and crafting

From the kitchen... Jodi is making dinner so I am blogging away..yeah! Tuna Helper to the rescue of the tired Mama! I am wearing... my cheerful smile and crazy hair, plus capris, a t shirt and tennies.

I am creating... aprons for presents...shhh! Cookies, fudges and breads...yummy!

I am going... off to work in a few hours and then hopefully to bed soon after that

I am reading..."God, is that you?" and my Bible

I am hoping... that we can finish up the shopping and pay the rent in the same week...that will take money from Heaven

I am hearing... happy children paying, Dan fixing his drill housing, the dogs barking, Jodi asking someone a question and dinner simmering away

Around the house...we just got new carpet and it looks great! I barely recognise my own house..it's that clean and uncluttered, but don't look in the garage...LOL! We rearranged and the rooms look huge now without all the furniture sitting in the middle.

One of my favorite things...My computer for my creative outlet, a place to connect with friends, a informational resource for home school, and a way to do Christmas shopping without the crowds.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Work, Schooling, BAKING, cleaning, Game Night, Shopping and wrapping the last few gifts, and a night of rest and pizza!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...my new carpet and the Christmas tree! Aren't they great??

December...really??

Greetings from Sunny, Warm New Mexico! The ave. temp thses days is still in the high 60s-to low 70s. I have to stay inside if I want to feel Christmas-y...LOL~ The tree is up, the stockings are hung, the gifts are wrapped and under the tree, a few of the Christmas goodie boxes have been sent, it's getting to be that time of year. Where has this year gone? It's just flown by for us here. Karen has moved twice..Jodi and family have moved here, Josh graduated from High School (SO PROUD) I'm working at a 'real job,' we are still homeschooling and having our best year ever, all the boys are getting soooo big that it occured to Dan just the other day that in 5 years, David will be DRIVING...he almost ran the car off the road...ha ha! I was checking off my goals for this year just this very morning and we've accomplished about 85% of our yearly goals..not too bad in my opinion! Anywho, that was all very random, wasn't it? I got interrupted so now I'll take off in a new direction.

This week was full of exciting happenings. Game Night was, as always, lots of fun. Karen is staying longer these days and visiting. Dan and Charlie are getting to be such good friends, its so fun to see them interact. Charlie is going to make my birthday dinner next week on game night...yeah! Chicken Cordon Bleu, Corn on the cob and a fresh green salad...my mouth is watering already! Work is kicking my behind as we are working later and later to hang up the signs for the holiday sales to bring in the customers. Over theweekend, we got new carpet in the LR and Girl room...it looks so great and is so fluffy and padded! Now we aren't worried about laying Titus down to play or to have the boys snuggling on the floor. I will add some pics of it in a minute. We are getting the 3 bedrooms done this coming Saturday....can't wait! I have started my Christmas baking and remembered that I am actually good at it and that I ENJOY it! In all of our shuffling around of things this weekend, I have found some things that I was looking for and some I wasn't, but I DID find a picture to motivate me to lose some weight. I forgot that I was ever that thin...if I can get the printer to scan it, I'll post it also.

Jodi's handbell choir is starting thier performances next week, signalling the REAL start of the holiday rush...I'm not quite ready yet. I have a few more things to send, more to wrap and just a thing or two to buy still. But I have enjoyed this year so much more than other recent ones since Dana nd I are in such a differnt place in our relationship. We were just talking last night with Charlie about how glad we are that we are here and that after several hard raps to the head from God, we finally followed his leading us here. ; ) Anywho, enough rambling for today..thanks for reading this. If you want, join my followers and you will be alerted everytime I write a new blog...at least that how I THINK it works. I'm going to post a few pictures, then I'm off to teach school, put babies down for naps, and do some more baking...fudge, anyone??

Blessings,

Kristy

Look at the difference....it's the SAME exact carpet!!

Simple Woman's Daybook

I must admit that I am really enjoying this style of post...hope you all are enjoying it as well...don't forget to check out the other ladies blogs of this style as well...just click on the picture.

FOR TODAY (PLACE THE DATE HERE)...December 1, 2008

Outside my window...It is feeling chill for this area although not cold to me...hee hee. The sky is blue and clear and the air is still.

I am thinking...that we have much catching up to do after 2 weeks of visitors and holidays.

I am thankful for...family and ibuprofen for this raging headache I have today...ha ha

From the learning rooms...We need to be more diligent. The Lap books are coming along nicely..my mom will love those projects so much.

From the kitchen...I can't wait to get in there and cook...Dan cleaned it top top bottom on Saturday and it is STILL sparkling!

I am wearing...jean Capri's, a coral t shirt and a riot of tangles in my hair

I am creating...an apron for gifts

I am going...to get cracking on my housework so I can rest before heading to work tonight

I am reading...a Dr. Cheney book, Junior's Color's ( to Derek) and the Bible

I am hoping...that one day I will magically wake up thin and tall...ha ha ha ha ha

I am hearing... the dryer running and a space heater to warm my toes

Around the house...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! YEAH! The tree is up and the lights are hung...hurray.

One of my favorite things...is my hubby...he rocks!! How many hubby's would clean the kitchen just to be nice and spend 6 hours doing it?? Not too many!

A few plans for the rest of the week: I want to finish up the Christmas shopping, write the Christmas letter, mail some packages and get the boys' hair cut for the family picture.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Here are the boys after decorating the tree...so cute!

The SImple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY November 24, 2008...

Outside my window...I see the blue cloudless sky that is so indicitive of the Southwest...Have I mentioned recently that I love it here?

I am thinking...about a myriad of things, bust mostly about the coming holidays and a few special visitors that we will be having. That and what I should be making for dinner...LOL!

I am thankful for...each and everyday that Dan and I have together...because even the bad days now are better than the good days used to be...ain't that grand? And for cooler days and snuggly nights, healthy boys that drive me to distraction some days and for labor saving devices like the wash machine and electric ovens.

From the learning rooms...we are taking it easy this week...just finishing up our history lapbooks and doing some computer work...no worksheets or homework.

From the kitchen...I smell the fresh baked pumpkin bread that I made last night, and thinking that I need to get back in there and produce some lunch before the little ones start gnawing on my arm.

I am wearing...my World changers shirt, black yoga pants, I can pretend that I worked out, warm socks because it is chilly in the house today...and french braids because it keeps my hair from getting into everything, and because Dan likes it so much.

I am creating...a funky new apron and it's almost done...yeah!

I am going...nowhere until I leave for work tomorrow night....so nice!

I am reading...Green Eggs and Ham AGAIN! (does that even count as reading?) and My Bible

I am hoping...that I am doing the right things with my children to help them become men that love God, their wives and their familes

I am hearing...Jose (landlord) setting up the furnace, yeah! Boys laughing at a funny TV show, the Gaither Vocal Band and the humdifier...oh, and Bubba barking...it's always loud around here...hee hee

Around the house...I need to start wrapping gifts for Christmas, writing my holiday letters, wash some windows and get some boys to turn that pigsty into a bedroom again

One of my favorite things...hugging Dan when he gets home after work and he smells like hard work and a hungry belly ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week: See 'Around the House' above

Here is picture thought I am sharing...this picture is 2 years old, but I don't have leaves to turn colors or jump in here in NM, plus Joshua is all grown up and gone now..so this is my fall favorite.

A Day Late and Dollar Short

Story of my life...right? LOL! Well, here it is Saturday afternoon and I'm finally getting on here to update everyone on our state of being. As I sit here, Dan, Dave and Pat are helping Karen move into her new apartment, Jodi is putting Titus down for nap, James and Derek are jumping on the trampoline and Aaron is nursing a migraine...never a dull moment. ; ) Actually, the reason that I didn't blog last night is that Dan and I were out Christmas shopping, grocery shopping and renewing our Sam's membership, hence the dollar short part...On the upside though, we have food in the cabinets, a new way to save money at Sam's and several more Christmas secrets in the closet...hee hee. With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, I am reminded of how grateful we should be every day and aren't. We are paying our bills down bit by bit and still can afford an occasional luxury. I have been looking over my journals as I sort through the 87, 392 boxes of paperwork I found in the garage (sigh!!) and I was reminded of exactly HOW BAD it really was for a while....no wonder I was pretending to be Scarlett O'Hara and saying I would think about that tomorrow...LOL! I am soooooo grateful to not be there anymore, but I am even farther down the road to be grateful for those hard times that made us determine whether we were going to sink or swim and also for those times that drove to my knees and into the loving arms of the Father. God is so gracious to us if we just ALLOW Him to be! Moving on...We are enjoying Aaron's visit and looking forward to Dad and Mom's also. Rumor has it that Ricky and Alec are going to try to sneak in a visit in the early parts of December, but that remains to be seen. For now, dinner is simmering, a fire is crackling cheerfully to keep us warm and soon Charlie and Devin will be joining us for an evening of laughter and games. So, I must get off of here and tend to my family and home (*sigh of contentment*)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all!
Blessings,
Kristy
PS. To those of you that know my very first lost boy ever, Dariel...he had an accident at work this week and smashed his hand in a press and broke it....pray for healing of the hand and patience for Dariel...waiting for things to get better was never one of his fortes! Ha ha ha!

Aahhhh, the good life! BTW, do you like the couch covers??

Simple Woman's Daybook

I am trying something new...this is called the Simple Woman's Daybook, go check out her site! Here's the link Just click on the work link and it will take you to her site

FOR TODAY (November 17, 2008)...

Outside my window...there are 3 noisy boys playing on the trampoline burning off excess energy before homeschool lessons start.

I am thinking...That I should be doing something more worthwhile with my time right now...ha ha

I am thankful for...so many things...but for today mostly my wondful hubby Dan who indulges me so often and let me get away when I need to have a break

From the learning rooms...today, no lesson plans just a few random worksheets and some science links on the computer

From the kitchen...the smell of a lovely pumpkin spice candle, tangerine orange hto tea and the though of chicken casserole for dinner

I am wearing...rags as usuall and a lovely little chunk of baby T spit up

I am creating...this blog for the first time

I am going...to work later tonight...well, at least my job for money

I am reading...the Bible, The 5 Love Languages of Children and lesson plan books

I am hoping...to enjoy the holidays greatly with family and friends

I am hearing...a fanit country music station, the humidifier and the joyous shouts of the boys and they hop and jump outside

Around the house...it's getting cleaner, and that's a good thing

One of my favorite things...Mondays...a fresh new week to explore all the possibilities

A few plans for the rest of the week: Working, helping Karen pack for her move on Saturday, teaching the boys, watching Casey, Game Night and anxiously awaiting Aaron's arrival on Wednesday

Here is picture thought I am sharing... handsome hubby Dan (otherwise known as the Love Monkey), isn't he dreamy?!?

The idea is that each week I would do this and then I can go read the other womens blogs with the same questions....it's just a neat idae I thought. So if you like it and want to see it continue...let me know!

Staying On Track

In an effort to stay on track with my self imposed blogging schedule..here I am again just because it's Friday. I WAS going to show you some new photos, but my new software is cranky and is giving me a hassle and of course it's too late to call customer service...*sigh* So, instead, I will bore you with the mundane details about my life here in the wilds of New Mexico. Not a whole lot new and/or exciting went on this week...Jodi went back to work and the boys went back to school, but worked hard so that they could have today off. I took today off as well, since all of us moms pretty much work all the time, so I did the bare essentials and kinsa goofed off today also. So after this I will be working on my new apron sewing project that keeps getting put off. Tomorrow I have big plans of wading in hip-deep to the pile of paperwork boxes Dan and I found in the garage. I will probably kill my shredder with the amount of papers to get rid of, but it will be a wonderful feeling not to look at those boxes everyday in my room...they've been nagging me in my sleep this week...ha ha! Jodi and I continue to make plans for the upcoming holidays...her Advent book came in the mail today, (thanks, MOM) and Thanksgiving dinner is almost completely planned and bought for. The boys are already looking forward to the breaks in school and I am honest enough to say that it will be nice to have my afternoons back for a few days. School really is going well this year...David actually said the other day that he wanted to do ABeka again because what we are using right now is too easy and it's boring...can you imagine that?!? Derek got a new (to him) toy this week. Dan rigged the electric scooter with training wheels, a padded seat and a variable speed control and now Derek is zipping up and down the street in what looks a bit like those scooters for disabled people on TV (are they called hover~rounds?) hee hee! So when the software gets working again...you will love those pics...in fact, he's been wearing his bike helmet non-stop for about 3 days now...he looks like a kid with epilepsy. Wqel, I"m rambling more than usual, so that must mean I"ve run out of things to say. Bless you all this week and hope this finds you healthy and happy! Lost Boys, Mama K loves you!
Blessings,
Kristy

5 minute blog

Greetings from still warm New Mexico! At least during the day, we are averaging in the low 70s still, but it gets pretty chilly overnight...around high 30s. I only have about 3 minutes left o blog so here are the highlights of the week.

• The boys enjoyed a week of no worksheets since the printer was down, but that had been remedied.
• Jodi's teeth got pulled and she is back to work after enjoying a week home with her babies.
• Aaron is coming for Thanksgiving, James is getting excited about that
• Jodi and I have been planning meals for the holidays already and sharing Christmas secrets
• Have I mentioned that having another girl around is nice???
• Dan and I spent all weekend cleaning out the garage so that there is room for Jodi's things, and so we can consolidate what we have into a better box system
• We have TOO much stuff, but both did a great job of saying goodbye to some old things.
• We inherited a cat this weekend also...our next door neighbors bought a car and the kitten came with it...LOL! However, she is afraid of cats and sent it to live outside....where it wandered over to our garage while we were cleaning...and it's it's ours...Harley the II is his name.

Now I have to leave for work before I am late...love to all!

Kristy and the Man Crew

November Musings ~ 2008

As I sit here sipping gingerbread tea and listen to my two favorite labor saving devices (the dishwasher and the clothes washer) whirr in the background, I peek into the living room where all 3 boys are curled up together and watching a movie. I see into the kitchen where the cabinets are full and I think about my closet, where many holiday secrets are already hiding. I think about my favorite hubby who is off taking classes to make himself more useful to his company...and Jodi who is out doing something fun with her two boys and I just can't help but heave a sigh of contentment about where God has led us. Don't get me wrong, its not all sunshine and roses, but it IS so much better than where we were...and I'm talking about emotional places, not location. We are busy making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas...having survived the 'non-specific fall holiday' that just passed....and only having to explain to 38 people WHY we don't celebrate that holiday. At least only 35 thought we were crazy...ha ha! Anywho; as we look forward to fall weather, REAL fall holidays and the birth of our Savior, our hearts always turn toward home and family. We are so anxious to see Dad and Mom again...it's just been forever! We also think of all of our dear friends and family back in IL and spread across the country really, and I just want to thank all of you who have prayed diligently for us. For those who make efforts to keep in touch...we appreciate your letters, cards and calls so much...you can't imagine! Continue to keep us in your hearts and prayers as life is never perfect, but God is always sovereign. A few prayer requests and praises...

• KAREN got a JOB!!!



• Jodi is having all of her wisdom teeth plus two molars extracted on Monday...OUCH!



• My work is headed into the busy season; pray for grace and patience as I forge ahead with only 3 hours of sleep 4 days a week



• School is going really well for D and P, they are learning to self-motivate, schedule their own work times and work with less 'hand-holding'



• Derek is busier than ever...and asking how everything works...I think we have another Dan on our hands...oh my!



• Jodi and I have decided that our kids are getting smarter, cuter and more devious with each one....start praying now for us to survive...ha ha ha!



• Charlie was in a motorcycle accident this week, it wasn't serious, but he is stiff and sore, plus his bike is messed up



• Ricky OFFICIALLY joined the US navy this week....you decide whether that's a praise or a request



• Joshua is working on putting together his testimony to share with the church...pray that he finds the right words to say



• John and Dolli are making great strides in repairing their relationship...pray that they bring their marriage under the will of God and that they continue to grow closer together.

I guess that about sums it up for this week. I will be posting a few pics and then I'm out, to enjoy my labor saving devices...ha ha! Have a great week everyone!! I miss you all! Lost boys, mama K loves you!
Blessings,

Kristy and the Man Crew

Just checking to see if I've still got it...yup, I do!

David taught Titus how to hold his own bottle this week.

In Other News...

The backflip boys




...At the MeYeR house this week, it was quite dull and lovely! The boys cooperated at school, Dan was working and the car didn't break down (thank you Jesus!) and we are getting into a nice routine again after the addition of the Starnes'. After much prayer, deliberation and looking over of the books, we have decided to stay at this house for a while longer. We'd rather wait and make the move comfortably than rushing and ending up strapped for money at the new place. Dan brought home monkey bars from the school he is working at right now and they go straight into the trampoline, so the boys can swing right in now...Karen was horrified. He also brought home an overhead projector, reams of printer paper and hundreds of dollars worth of books, CD-roms and curriculum that the school was throwing away....it was Christmas in October for Jodi and I! The funny Derek story of the week is 3 times this week I noticed that he was going commando andter I KNOW I helped him put on undies in the AM...so I finally asked him what happended to his undies and he replied (with a straight face)..."Well, them just hopped away from me, Mama." I about died! Too funny! Anywho...enough chatter, bring out the pics, right? In my fave group on cafemom this week, we had a "what's going on in your house right now picture' game...and these are the shots that I took..Ta Da!

More jumping boys

I was boiling eggs for our weekly picnic and bottle nipples for Titus after Derek found the scissors and chopped up all of the other nipples...oops!Kelly say that this looks like Titus is worshiping A. A Milne...nah, just thankful that he's in the seat and not being trampled by dogs or boys.

Shadow is waiting patiently to be let out...againJames is headed out to jump with the others...he will let Shadow out!

That's it...that's all she wrote...farewell, adieu, ciao and all that other goodby stuff!

~K~

Happy Birthday Bro. John!

Right now I wish I was in IL with all of you at Bro John's 60th birthday party. I've been trying to formulate a letter to have put in his scrapbook, but the words fail me...and we all know how often that happens! How do you say thank you to a man that has been such a huge influence in your life? How do you find the words to tell him how you feel about the impact he has made? John Hover has been a rock in my life for over 16 years now. He's been my pastor, a mentor, a confidante, a big brother, a father, a marriage counsellor and most of all a friend to me. I've been best friends with his daughter(s), thought about marrying his son, worked for him, with him and around him. He has taken me places, helped me accomplish things I didn't know I could do, given me responsibility I didn't know I could handle and then praised me when I did well. He's laughed at me, near me and with me. He's scolded, harangued and harassed me when my attitude was out of line. Remember that he's know me since I was 18...I've grown up a bit since then, I hope! He has brought me into his family as a full fledged daughter, even thought we all laugh and say that I must be the milkman's daughter since I was born while he was in jail. Anyway, I suppose suffice it to say that I adore him and wish him the happiest birthday ever and may this year be his best yet. Bro John, I love you!
Your littlest one,
Kristy

A few random pictures to get you all caught up on the last month or so...sorry about the hassle! Without further ado...the MeYeR Man Crew in all of it's radiant glory!! Above...David's new bike and his birthday.

Below...all the riding boys, Pat's newly painted ( by Dan) pokemon bike, Great niece Ryan is getting so cute, Derek with his morning grouchy face (SO CUTE!!) the 3 big boys right before their first homeschool gym adventure, and Derek in a better mood with Titus. Phew....life is never dull here.

Blessings,

Kristy, the tired and never bored mom of the Man Crew

PS, I'll add the video later, there is a line for the computer now that it's working again...hee hee!

So Many Things to Tell, So Little Time

OK, just dashing through...I know...again! But, 'Puter is acting all funky again and I'm making hay while the sun shines....need to get this posted before this stupid thing decides to quit again for a week. We are well here...David enjoyed his birthday and the party, the boys went to homeschool gym for the first time and LOVED it, we enjoyed a fantastic day in the great out of doors on Saturday at the local pumpkin patch and it occurred to me that we've now been here long enough to be going to the same things we did last year at this time. It made me feel a bit nostalgic for home and then I reminded myself that this IS home! Some times it feels like a long vacation, or a break for reality or an alternate life, but this is my life now and with a full year here under our belts, it's new chapter beginning with Jodi's arrival. We are still house hunting...we've found a house we really like, but are still praying about it and discussing it amongst ourselves. As for pictures, sorry, none this week either, but once 'Puter is up and running properly again, I promise LOTS of pics from the past month. Well, I better scoot before this wretched things poops out again. Much love to you all. Lost Boys, Mama K misses you and wishes you were here with me!
Blessings,
Kristy and the Man Crew

So sleepy

Just popping thorugh on my way to bed... I have worked every night since Tuesday and I am worn out big time! But, God created Sunday as a day of rest and I'm claiming it! I have several things that I want to get done, but mostly, I want to hang out with Dan because I haven't had much time to spend with him this week due to me working, and on Monday he leaves for yet ANOTHER week in Ruidoso, so we won't get any time together until Friday...sigh! Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that he is working...I just wish he was here in town. For those of you who are interested...Jodi got a job and starts Monday morning! She is excited about it but sad to leave the care of her babies to someone else, even if it is me...hee hee! She has all her lesson plans written up so I can help James during the day even though he will do his official lesson time with her in the evening. We will begin using our new books on Monday, and the boys are excited to be using the computer to learn for school. No big excitement this week, I've been too tired for adventures...but next week, we should have some new things to tell about...and maybe I will remember to upload the pics then, too...man I AM out of it! That said...I will bid you all a fond good night and meader off to bed and start woring on that day of rest thing!
Blessings,
Kristy
PS. David would like me to remind you all that his birthday is next Friday...hee hee!

I'm back!!

Greetings from STILL warm New Mexico! We hit 90 again yesterday, but the nights are getting deliciously cool...hurray!! As for my prolonged absence and odd blogging schedule, I can only blame 'Puter, who has been giving us trouble for weeks and was finally fixed with a new hard drive put in by yours truly, a feat that astounded even Dan. At any rate, I should be back to my regular blogging schedule and keeping you up to date on our life here in the wilds of NM. Dan is working Tularosa this week after weeks in Ruidoso...but at least this week, he's riding back and forth instead of being gone all week. I am working 5 nights this week, but by the week;s end I will be dead on my feet, but those are the days when it's even nicer that Jodi is here: yesterday she sent me to take a nap (she didn't have to tell me twice...hee hee) and then she did school with the crowd of boys. We have started lap booking for some fun history lessons...basically taking file folders and turning them into 3-d projects that have TONS of info inside of them...way more fun than a boring history lecture and then writing an essay! So, that has been our home schooling adventure for the week so far, although I must admit, I'm letting Jodi handle most of that. Our next homeschooling adventure may be to try home school gym at the local gymnastics place. On Tuesdays, they have home school day....45 min of gymnastics instruction, 45 min of swimming lessons, a lunch time and 45 min of open gym....how fun does THAT sound?? I am looking into ways to be sure I can get them there even on the weeks that Dan has the van before I sign them up, but they are pretty excited about it. At any rate, things are settling into more of a routine now that Jo and the boys have been here for a few weeks and the house is looking better all the time. IN fact, we are going to do some serious cleaning while Jodi is running errands this AM, and when she returns we will head to the park for a picnic and school under a tree...Ahhhh, the joys of homeschooling! We just got our new Usborne books yesterday and will be starting to use them come Monday, so that will have us studying...Arithmetic, History, Health, Language Arts, Science, Spanish, Spelling, Reading and Reading Comprehension, and Bible....phew! But, so far, we are having more fun than last year as I'm trying to make this year more hands on for them so that it's less drudgery and more interesting....wish me luck!! HA HA! Anyway, here I am chattering a way like a magpie and you have things to do as do I, so I bid you a fond farewell until we meet again!! Hugs and Kisses all around!! Lost Boys, Mama K misses you so much!!

Blessings,

Kristy and the Man Crew

PS. Jodi has a blog now, it's at http://www.thethreestarnes.blogspot.com/ and I've linked it to my page, so if you can't find it, look at the top right of my page and find it there!

Jodi and I have invested in some new cookbooks and here is one ofour masterpieces...homemade, from scratch mac and cheese with bacon and onions on top!!! YUM~O~

Here are we all enjoying the yummy dinner together.... I think we need a bigger table...LOL!

Derek wanted a bite so bad before dinner that he went and found himself a tablespoon and tried to dig in without us!!

Show me the Muscles

This is just a cute video of the boys goofing off...now that I have a new hard drive, maybe it will work! ENJOY! I will try to post a better post over the weekend now that the drive is fixed so keep checking back until I get something decent up here...ha ha!

Love to all,

Kristy

Sweet Days and Cool Nights

Greetings from Sunny New Mexico! LIfe has been good this week...the boys have figured out the new pecking order and have settled a bit from last week. We did school all week with no major problems (thank you, Jesus!!) Dan has returned from Ruidoso again and had a fun time up there working all night and sleeping all day. Jodi has pounded the pavement looking for a job and has several good possibilities already. I have worked several days this week and Jodi is doing a great job of holding down the fort while I am gone. I found the coolest video EVER yesterday and I want to share it with you so click www.mychurch.org/blog/30635 if you want to see it. Oh, Dan and I had a ball last weekend for our anniversary. We didn't do anything super fantastically exotic, but we had dinner and went to see a funny movie and enjoyed being together. I think it was one of first anniversaires that we truly enjoyed one another's company...sigh...it was so nice! Anywho~it's 1:30 in the morning and I need some sleep to ta~ta for now!

Love to all,

Kristy, Jodi and the ever growing Man Crew

Video of Titus

Hopefully this will work. I took this cute video of Titus looking at his new mobile that his Grammy bought and his Grma insisted that he needed to be looking at all the time. They were both right...he loves it! Way to go, Grandmas!! Yeah!!
~Kristy~

Happy Anniversary, Birthday, Labor Day...all that good stuff!

Well, this is a bit later than my usual Friday night post, but I've been having trouble with this computer lately, so here goes nothing! Jodi, James and Titus (now named Mr T.) are settling in well. David and Patrick are so thrilled to have someone else to play with and all the boys are enchanted with Mr. T. Jodi is enjoying the warm weather and has busily started applying for jobs already. So, just a quick hollah for a few of my peeps and I'm outtie...LOL!

~Dan! It's been great being married to you for these 12 years...not all of them have been perfect, but you have always loved me and that counts in my book.
~Kermit and Candy...Happy birthday to both of you...sorry I missed them!
~Karen and James...I didn't miss them, but I hope they were happy for you.
~Jodi, James and Mr. T...glad that you are finally here safe and sound and ready for your next adventure
~Dad and Mom...I'm taking good care of them, I promise! Can't wait to see you at Christmas. I have some great pics to share, but I'm afraid they would crash the computer right now, so they will have to wait for a few days until I get this thing fixed.
~Lost Boys..I miss you all soooo much! I'll be calling you this week to catch up.
~Lizzie...wishing I was there with you right now...I am missing you so much these days...sure ya can't squeeze in a visit?? Still waiting on that Elvis picture...LOL!
~Candy...the longer I'm gone, the more I miss you...call me when you have 5 minutes to chat.

Bye until I get this thing fixed!! God Bless you all this week!!
Hugs to you all,
~K~

She's Almost Here and He's There

Hello to all our dear family and friends near and far,
Greetings from another hot summer day in Cruces. We have had a full week, preparing for Jodi's arrival and Dan's departure. We are also house hunting for a rental that is large enough to give us room to breathe, enough bathrooms to go around, a yard for the kids to play in and not cost a bazillion dollars...I know, it's a pipe dream, but God hs a place for us that will be just right...we just have to find it...LOL! Dan toook off yesterday to fly to Chicago for the shortest visit ever and to drive Jodi's car crammed full of things back here to Cruces. Jodi got on the train Thursday for her trip here with James and Titus. James had his 6th birthday on the train...boy, was he excited! So both are still in transit...but I get to leave in just a few hours to pick her up and Dan will be back sometime tomorrow. I think that he is going to end up spending the week out for town for work, so this first week will be interesting! I need to go build a crib so I better get going. I'll snap a few pics and post them after Dan gets back on Sunday.
Love to you all!~
Kristy

Greetings from sunny New Mexico

Hello to our friends and family, near and far!
We are having a great week...just hanging around together, playing with neighbors, and hosting game night. Not much is going on, we're just enjoying the last lazy days of summer. Dan is working a side job this weekend, I'm working almost all of next week and then the fun stuff starts! Jodi is headed here on Thursday, Dan is flying to Chicago on Friday, Jodi arrives here on Saturday (HURRAY) and Dan will be back sometime Sunday afternoon. I am staying home to keep the home fires burning and keep up with the kiddos and new housemates. Karen and company are well, as are Charlie and Devin...they all love our game nights and we have such fun! SO, again a short note...(yeah, me!) and I'll add a picture or two from this week. Love to all and we are missing you always! Lost Boys, Mama K misses you, too!
Blessings,
Kristy
PS. Pics aren't working right now...I'll add some later!



As you can see, Baby Ryan is a big hit with the boys!


Who says that dogs don't smile?? Bubba loves to have his tummy rubbed!


I about choked when Derek found these...thank you AWANA store...LOL!


Awww, Uncle Dan loves little Ryan! She's so sweet!