The Red Headed-Wilson's

2012-01-31T19:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Danette!

If you haven't already you should check out my sisters blog. You will lesrn fun things about Germany!

little black dress

2012-01-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

I am a jean a sweater kind of gal. Can't remember the last dress I wore. Usually wear flip flops so no need to own those prefect high heel shoes. But Ben is a business man. He needs to be involved in the community and that leads to parties and mingling. On Feb 4 I get to go to a Habitat For Humanity Fundraiser Auction. I love auctions but this is also a cocktail dress auction. So I bought a little black dress. Well, honestly I ordered 3 online and they came today. I figured there is a lot more selection online and I can take what I don't wear back. Thankfully ordering a dress online is not like ordering pants. I know my dress size. And thankfully I think at least one of the dresses will work. Alicia likes 2 of them, Ethan doesn't really care and Ben hasn't seen them yet. Alicia wishes I could return black for a red dress. But it's much harder to find a red dress in my style then a black one. Now I am starting to freak out about what shoes to wear, what jewelery, do I wear stockings or go bare legged. I think I need help. Any of you have the perfect heels I should get for this black dress? Know what kind of jewelery I should wear? This is most likely the dress I will choose. It at least gives me the feel of sleeves to hide behind. It won't be the fanciest dress there but it is one of the more fancier dresses I have ever worn.

Metal Mouth

2012-01-25T07:54:00.000-08:00

Alicia got four braces put on her front four teeth about a year and a half ago. Yesterday they did the enite mouth. All but one tooth, it's only half in, have a brace on them. (You can see the tooth on the right, top side in the picture.) It seems amazing that at almost 10 she has a full mouth of metal but then again it seemed amazing when she started loosing her teeth at 4. She choose pink for Valentines Day and green for St Patricks Day. It still hurts to chew but she is in a lot less pain compared to first four braces that went on.

2012-01-20T07:36:00.000-08:00

This is Hwy 22 down the road from us. I wasn't able get these kind of pictures so I am stealing them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3aMqe5FK1E

(some of you have seen thesepictures, these are for my sister and for future me to look at and remember.

Rain Day

2012-01-19T09:26:00.000-08:00

Well rain may not be as fun as snow, not nearly, but it does bring school closures.

So we went and drove around Sublimity and Stayton with a hot cocoa and looked at some flooding. The pictures really do not do the flooding justice. I would have loved to stop to take pictures but these are all taken while driving along.

I think that the road in front of the school on the way to our house is actually one of the worst areas we saw.
And what is amazing is this was these pictures were taken on our way to take a look around. On our way home in just 30 minutes this area is much much worse.

The very worst flooding was the on-ramps and exits off of HWY 22. Some are closed, some are just lakes. They won't have time to dry out. The rain just keeps coming and is supposed to go for DAYS. By this evening Ben may need to take the back route to our house. Ben saw a car drowning in the middle of a closed down road. I didn't go take a look because getting there was going to entail too many detours.

Our van was going through a "puddle" and Ethan took the picture of water splashing up. He is very proud of it and wants you to see it.

Snow day

2012-01-18T16:01:00.000-08:00

***********best friends*********

They had just told their moms they had put ice down a sisters shirt. STINKERS

It was so nice not having school yesterday, Tuesday. Alicia's and Ethans best friends invited us over to play at 9:15. For some reason they had a bit more snow then we got, they are up a small hill from us. And it snowed off and on all day. We were there until 1:30. The day was so much fun. The kids played, the adults gabbed. F.U.N.

But it was a bit dissappointing to wake this morning to risen temperatures and RAIN. And I do mean an amazing amount of rain. Hard not to feel a bit like if that rain could be snow we would have real snow fun. O, well.

2012-01-09T12:30:00.001-08:00

I love starting a new year. It gives one time to stop, even for a second, and think about what we expect from it. 2011 brought some really good things to the Wilson's. A new nephew, a new niece, a new house, a new school. Great things. But it also brought some really, really hard things. Leukemia, fighting Leukemia, deaths, and a HUGE family (the Wilson family extended) ordeal we are all still wading through. Having Faith in God has been instrumental to all of us . We are all hoping that 2012 brings not only good things but some miracles as well.

On that note, here are two things I am at this moment working on for 2012:

This next year I plan on losing some weight. I have lost almost 25 pounds since September 6 and have another 20 to lose. I am being very conscious of what I eat and spending some time working out. I am also starting to dream of some new clothes. I have set goals and at each goal I set I have some rewards for myself.

I am also planning a family vacation. We are just months away and it takes up a lot of brain space right now. It also has me dreaming of new clothes. haha So hopefully I hit my weight goals and can have new clothes for the trip.

What are your dreams for 2012?

Christmas

2012-01-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

My sister wants more blogging. She is so demanding. :)

I thought I would just take pictures off the camera. These are Christmas pictures.

My parents at our house Christmas morning Beautiful Christmas cookies my mom made for Christmas Eve night.And Easter Egg Hunt pictures.
We were unable to the yearly Easter Egg hunt on Easter this year so the eggs have been sitting around until the entire family would be together. So we celebrated God sending His son to earth to die/pardon our sins all in one day.

Smell that?

2011-12-22T08:32:00.000-08:00

I wish you could smell my house. I didn't even know how good it smelled until I went to the garage and came back in. YUMMY. Yesterday I made cinnamon roll dough. I then let it sit over night so it would be a good consistency for rolling. This morning we woke up early, we all slept under the Christmas tree and our sleeping was off, and I started baking those cinnamon rolls. I baked ours and then rolled others and put them in tins for gifts. Tonight we will go deliver some cinnamon rolls to unsuspecting folks while driving around looking at lights. A good way to get the kids to understand giving while we get the Christmas light looking crossed off the to do list. This picture is of the rolls in our fridge.
And as a side note, every year our church encourages families to sleep under the tree during this Christmas week. Every year I don't really want to. This year I gave in. ( I guess I should admit I had Ben bring down Ethan's mattress so I wouldn't have to sleep on the floor.) We watched some Christmas cartoons, Prep and Landing and Prep and Landing 2, and then went to sleep. Only it was pretty exciting for the kids and they just wanted to giggle. After we all fell asleep Ben got up and went to his bed. Later said he got cold. The three of us then woke up at 5 to snoring from the bedroom. We couldn't fall back asleep, it was cold, so we finally turned on cartoons at 6 and I started baking.

Gotta love Christmas Break and the un-routineness it brings. This week is good for me. I love schedules and normalcy. This whole week has been about doing things we don't normally get to do, spending time together and eating things we don't normally eat.

Hope you all have a great Christmas Break, I know we are.

can you guess what happened?

2011-12-15T11:28:00.000-08:00

BEFORE

AFTER

Here are some before and after pictures. You may think I just posted them in the wrong order. But no, the empty tree and ornaments on the floor are the after pictures. Can you guess what happened this morning? First time in our 11 marriage. Just happy no ornaments broke and our tree topper made it out okay. I Love that tree topper. We bought in Disneyworld and it would be irreplaceable.

Now I await Ben's return so the tree can be replaced in the stand. It needs to be straightened out some, haha that is an understatement. That should be a lot of fun.

Decorating for the first time

2011-12-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

My sister has not seen our "new" house. Now I know we have lived here for 7ish months so it's not really new anymore but she moved to Germany when we moved and she hasn't even seen pictures of our place. When we were first looking at the house I was thinking it would be a great house for them to come stay at during the Holidays but alas that will have to be put off a few years.

Anyway, I am slowly getting our decorations up and thought I would let her see my Christmas Living Room and you all get a peek into my house along the way.

We have not bought window treatments for this room yet. We bought them for 3 rooms and the rest will just have to wait. The Christmas village on the mantel is the LEGO Holiday sets. They are mine and I put them together and then away after Christmas. The kids want to play with them but they know they are Momma's!

On a side note. Every year when I pull out my stocking holders I reminisce a bit. I loved this set. Was really happy when we decided we were done with kids so I could go get the 4 letter NOEL from target. Then not 9 months later I was pregnant. It wasn't a planned pregnancy and one of the first things I thought of was how I was going to have to go buy PEACE to have 5 letters. We ended up losing that pregnancy and NOEL stayed. I rarely think of that miscarriage. But every year when I pull these out I can't help but think of it.

Christmas Spirit

2011-12-04T08:16:00.001-08:00

So yesterday was one of those days we will remember when our kids are grown. Just a great family day full of Christmas activities. We got up and headed down to the annual Christmas Bazaar. Now I could miss this and be fine but the kids love going. Bought some treats and the kids bought some cheap junk and then we headed home. After we got home we played for awhile and then Grammy met us at our house to go get our Christmas trees. There have been many many years of getting our tree with Grammy. A tradition that occasionally gets broken. Anyway, this year we had perfect weather to go tree hunting. Found our trees and then onto their homes they went. Ben put the lights on the house while we got our tree lights up. Then we watched the first part of Indiana Jones while Ethan put ornaments up. Not a very Christmassy movie but it was on and the kids enjoy Indy. After this on to the local movie theater where they were showing Polar Express. Finally we watched our Christmas movie for the day and then headed home to put on layers of clothes. It was freezing outside (also incredibly foggy) and there was to be a first annual light parade here in our small town. We walked down to the fire department and watched the parade and then walked to Panzanellies for some dinner take-out. Walked on home for dinner and hot chocolates and finished our Indiana Jones movie before a late bedtime.

Ben and I talked in bed about how this is the days that the kids will remember. Full of family fun. We also felt like it should be closer to Christmas. Feels like a day that should be done after school is out for the break. But we were not the ones who made the city's calendar.

My daughter sent her first texts!

2011-11-09T18:11:00.000-08:00

So Saturday I got to spend the day shopping with some close girlfriends. We had a great time catching up with each other and there were some really good deals. But I wondered through the day why Ben was not responding to my texts. Especially when I asked if he would like me to bring home his favorite dessert. Nothing. So when I got home that night and found the house thrashed and Ben in bed I was a little peeved. Until I found out that about 3 PM that day he started being violently sick! He said for near 4 hours he hugged the toilet and even now, 4 days later, his stomach muscles are very sore. Apparently the kids took care of themselves. We are both very proud that they got along all day while feeding themselves and getting themselves to bed. The next day, Sunday morning, I mentioned all my texts to Ben. Alicia said she had read them. Ben then checked all the messages and saw that she had tried to respond to my texts with messages like dad is sick. dad is barfing. But these were not sent to me, but to one of our friends. He wrote back saying he needed the Wilson decoder, as Alicia did not spell all the words correctly. He had no idea what was going on. Alicia said Ben's cell phone was hard to write on, I AGREE--hate his phone. We all had a great laugh. She sent her first texts out to her best friends father. So hilarious.

On a book hunt

2011-11-04T10:35:00.001-07:00

It seems like about every year and a half to two years I am looking for something. Not for me but for Alicia. Looking for new authors, new books. I want her to be reading good, wholesome books. No reason, that I can see, for her to read what everyone else is reading. That time will be here soon enough. So right now she is reading a series by Frank Peretti for kids. It is a mystery series and she loves them. But there are only a few books left in this series so I am trying to be a step ahead of her. The bummer thing is she doesn't always want to read what I buy her. She has maybe 5-8 books upstairs that I don't think she will ever open. Books I know she would enjoy if she just opened them up and gave them a chance. But that is besides the point. Do you know of any good books for a 9-12 year old girl. I am looking for some Christian books or books that will teach her good character traits.

And she has already read the Narnia books, and Anne of Green Gables.

ringtones

2011-11-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

I set up my Christmas ringtones today. I know that to some of you this is real early but since I am seeing Christmas commercials I decided to get into the spirit now as well. So I have White Christmas, The Sugar Plum Fairy and Frosty the Snowman ready to alert me to your texts and calls. Can't wait until I hear them!!!

If you have a song you would like to be associated with your number just let me know. :)

My sweet characters

2011-11-01T11:59:00.001-07:00

BLACK CAT and a STORM TROOPER

One face covered with a mask and the other covered in makeup. :) She was worried whenever it started to rain that it would wash away her makeup but when we tried to take it off before bed last night it was very hard to get off. Glad this happens only once a year. Be a long time before she wears makeup everyday.

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T15:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was one of those fun weekends. The whole weekend was full of parties, family get togethers, a movie, and the feel of a holiday approaching. One of the best parts of the weekend was my mom getting tickets to Disney on Ice in Portland. USBank gave her 4 tickets (her and I and the kids went) and a free parking pass. We then got to sit in the USBank suite and watch an amazing show. When we got to the suite we had popcorn ready for us and cold pops in the fridge. We were the first ones in the box so we choose our seats. The kids had a ball and it was so fun to do something I have never done before. The show was really good and I love ice skating (not actually skating -I tried once and was horrid at it-but watching on tv). So it was fun to see that part of it.
Gotta have cotton candy!!!

I "borrowed" these pictures were from the a site on the internet, goldstar.com. My camera has gone missing.

Birthday month

2011-10-11T13:03:00.001-07:00

I think Red Robin has it right. The month of your birthday they put your free burger on your Red Robin Loyalty card. A whole month to celebrate your birthday. I like it.

This is my birthday month. Last week Ben called me and asked if I wanted to go to a Oregon Ducks football game. OF COURSE! A friend of his decided he didn’t want to go to the game and gifted us the tickets. AMAZING!! Wednesday, Ben and I went to town and bought me a new green and yellow jacket for the game. Start of my birthday month. Then Thursday Ben and I dropped our kids off at Grammy’s and headed South. It was such a great night. The game was a good one, the seats were GREAT and spending time with just Ben was wonderful. Best date in a long time.

Yesterday my mom and I spent the day shopping. Our tradition for Columbus Day, my birthday shopping day. It is so nice to get away with my mom and shop with no kids. Plus I always get a caramel apple. My favorite.

Tonight we are heading out for dinner.

I love when birthdays last for more then one day.

For you Danette

2011-10-07T15:23:00.001-07:00

Well,my break from blogging is over. 5 months is all I got. My sister has asked me a few times if I would resume and I have given in. She and her family moved to Germany about 5 months ago and would like to see pictures and hear how our lives back in the USA are going.

At the new school my kids are going to they work on a character trait each month. September was knowledge. Today the school had an assembly and a few kids from each class were chosen that showed signs of this trait. Ethan got an award so myself, and Grammy and Papa-along with Zach, came to see him get his award.

Ethan is in the front row, black coat looking at My camera.

done for awhile

2011-05-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

I have loved blogging. I love looking back at what the kids have done over the years, having pictures at my fingertips. But when I started blogging I did it so my parents and sister could catch up and see pics. But teh reality is they never check my blog. :) And since I don't know if I want to continue for just myself I am taking a break. I think I will try out the old fashioned journaling-- in a book and taping pictures on!! SHOCK.

Tricky Sister in Laws

2011-04-20T08:22:00.001-07:00

I have two sister-in-laws that like to play tricks. I think every day to them is a day to practice for April Fools.

Let me back up. The Wilson's are a close family. Where some families may show up when a baby is born we all head to the hospital as the new mom is being checked in. We want to be there for all of it. Some births have been long (mine) some unusually quick (Donna). But is a fun tradition and I love it. This year I told Alicia she is old enough to go with me and hang out the whole time. The kids have gone for a few hours before but never for an entire day. She is very excited. Every phone call we get we think is Rachel until we see the phone screen.

At about 4 this morning I woke up and never quite went back to sleep. I did have some of those weird dreams you get at that time though.

I dreamt that Rachel called and was breathing heavy and whispering. She was in labor. I asked all the questions I will ask when she actually calls, Where are you, how you feeling, how far along are you, etc etc. Then when she knew I was totally into this phone call she started laughing.

I hung up on her.

Dreams. Now I may know Rachel probably would never in reality do this I also know with her some things are possible. I will now be more weary when the phone rings. Is she just playing with me or is it real.

We'll see.

Ja Miss me?

2011-04-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

When we got Internet back on Friday I thought I would run to post that I was back but I didn't know where top even start. Still don't but since I know some of you are wondering how it's going I will try to figure out where to start, what to say.

The house is wonderful. It feels so big. There is sadly much to do here still as I feel like I have been torn a million ways and never get to just relax in this house. Friday our renters move into the old house and that will help me feel less torn and then Monday ends the official busy season of a CPA and that will really make things feel a lot better around this house. Now if the weather would just stay sunny for more then a few hours we might really be able to get some things done.

In the next week we hope to welcome two new babies into the Wilson clan as two of my sister-in-laws are due and this particular Wilson house could not be more excited. Ethan is a baby person and Alicia is old enough to really feel and understand the excitement. Plus maybe someday she will actually get to babysit these two new ones.

Collin is doing good. We had a scare last night when we were told they were heading back up to Doernbechers as he had a fever. But thankfully his counts looked good so they gave him some medicine and sent him home. He goes back up tomorrow for another chemo treatment so they aren't too worried. We found out last week, or it might have been the week before, that he is what is called a slow responder. That means instead of 6 months of chemo (his chemo is through a spinal tap) he will get 10 months followed by the maintenance chemo. I think I got all that right. This world of cancer is so foreign to me. I wish none of us had to become experts on ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, but Collin is a trooper and GOD is GOOD.

So that is just a little of what has been going on while I have been away. There is tons more but not all of it is important and some should remain off the web for the world to see.

cyber lost

2011-03-30T10:09:00.000-07:00

We are at our new house but it doesn't have internet connection until April 8th. So I won't be here in cyber world for awhile. I also won't be getting any emails until then so if you want to get ahold of me call my cell as we also will not have a phone at our new house until April 8. :)

Spring Break

2011-03-22T17:10:00.001-07:00

We now have renters for our house. Didn't take long. :)

Yesterday when we heard we had potential renters wanting to come in and see our house I and the kids went to work cleaning our house. They were fairly good sports about spending hours of their spring break cleaning with me, so I told them today I would make it up to them. So we met friends at Chuck-E-Cheese and played for hours. Then we met more friends at Tangled at the Northern Lights theater for afternoon fun. Ben and Ethan are now on their way to a Blazers game (free tickets) and Alicia and I will start on laundry soon. :)

Tomorrow should be low key and then Thursday Alicia takes of with a friend for a few nights at the beach. Sunday at 1 we are moving our "stuff" into the new house. So if you are wanting to see the house you could come help us move. :) haha

I may never get to go somewhere fun for spring break, tax season, but this may be a week I won't forget.

Calling all renters

2011-03-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

So we will be renting out our current house. If you are, or know anyone, looking to rent a home in the Stayton area (and it only takes 15 minutes to get to Salem) this is a great find. :) At least I think so.

If you want more info for yourself, or a friend, here is our property's managements website. You can also ask me questions.

It has 3 bedrooms/2 baths. Besides the normal kitchen appliances, interior w/d hookup and 2 car garage, with electric opener, all bedrooms have a walk in closets. Their is also heat pump with AC, vaulted ceiling in living room and skylight in kitchen. This house makes a great home.

Continue to pray

2011-03-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Collin had found an Easter basket and had it on his head. :)

I ask you all to continue to pray for my nephew. Things are not going rosily. :) Leukemia may be curable and this may be the most common childhood cancer but it is not normal, not routine. His family is up at Doernbechers again. They went home Monday and then headed back up Wednesday after Collin came down with a fever. This time they may be there weeks. (UPDATE: Things are going better and they may come home sooner!!!! WOOHOO) Collin just isn't doing well. They need prayer as this takes them away from home and work. They are not making money and spending A LOT of money. They are watching their boy be poked and prodded and never know what may happen. Rachel is also just weeks away from having their second child.

This SUCKS. But prayer works. So the Wilson family continue to ask everyone to pray for Danny, Rachel and Collin. God can heal his body. God can bring peace to a family. We also want to bring glory to our God even through cancer. Dirty C word.

Alicia, Danny, Collin and Ethan. We were lucky enough to see Collin on Tuesday night before he unexpectedly headed back up to the hospital the next day. While he is up there the cousins cannot see him because of a RSV threat. So this made my kids' night.

goodbye house

2011-03-16T08:33:00.001-07:00

I have started a few posts on how this week is the week of packing and preparing to move. But no post sounds the way I feel. So just know that I am packing, packing, and packing. (And packing takes longer then I remembered.) I also thought I had lots of boxes but they are running low. (And I didn't remember needing this many boxes.)

In April I will say goodbye to this house, this house where my babies grew.
In April we will be in a new house, a house where my kids will become adults.

Glad the week is over

2011-03-12T14:48:00.000-08:00

This week was long. Emotionally long. Starting with my friends mother passing away Monday evening with a funeral on Friday, then Collin being diagnosed with Leukemia on Tuesday, all while working on the Stayton Christian School Annual Auction also on Friday and planning my daughters 9th birthday party today. O, and having our house close for real on Thursday. My heart was heavy all week my brain was fried and not fully working. It was all very draining.

So I say, "Good riddance week. May this next week bring an abundance of peace and joy to those I love."

O, and I kept going back to what Ethan told us Wednesday on the way to see Collin, "God has a plan for Collin." He said this with the assurance of a 6 year old and his faith in our Creator. Ethan KNOWS God loves Collin and has created him for a purpose. It is comforting to remember.

Collin Update

2011-03-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

So Collin had his spinal tap today and they discovered Leukemia. It is the most common kind and they start treatment today. He will stay up at Doernbechers for another 5 days and then see if he is able to go home. This is getting close to his 2nd birthday and I sure hope he is home by March 20th. They said treatment will probably last about 3 years. I don't know much more then that as I get my info over the phone. :) We went up and saw him last night and he looked good. His color was back from the blood transfusions and he seemed more like the old Collin. I couldn't get enough of him. He is so adorable. I love when he tells the doctors, "No Thank You!" Such manners.

His family is going to need a lot of prayers. Rachel is 6 weeks from having a little girl and this is just awful news for a parent. But they should be very proud of their boy. He is so well behaved and everyone loves him so much.

keep the prayers coming.

Rough Day

2011-03-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

This week is a busy week. It's time for the annual auction at Stayton Christian School. This week takes a lot of work to pull off. But it's fun too. Or at least it usually is. Today I knew I would be busy and then my poor friend lost her mom. This made me an emotional wreck. I kept thinking of her and would start to cry. Then about a half hour before I picked the kids up from school today I got a call that my nephew, that turns two this month, was sent to Doernbechers with suspected Leukemia. This sent me over the edge. I am an emotional wreck. We love Collin. He is so special. And the thought of this little boy having this disease kills me. The thought of all the needles and pain he will be put through this week, makes me want to barf. They have told them to prepare to stay at least 3-4 days and as much as a week. He has been trying to tell his mom and dad that he wants to go home. I can't imagine what a week of him asking this will do to his parents. Broken hearts all around today.This picture was taken on the 4th of July last year.
So again I am asking for prayers. Please pray for my extended family. The Wilson's are a close family and we love Collin. We love him A LOT. Please pray that it isn't Leukemia, that it is something easily cured. If it is Leukemia please pray for his poor body as they try to fight it. Pray for all of us to keep the Faith and his parents to have strength.

Sometimes words fail

2011-03-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

I have thought about typing a post like the one coming for years. I know I am blessed. Not only with my husband, kids and family but with good friends. When I was in college I made a circle of friends for life. We have all stayed friends over the years and I even have some girlies that I get together with almost every month. When I say they are my "friends" that word does not do it justice. They are like sisters. They are what I would imagine sorority sisters would be like. We have lived together, been with each other for boyfriends/husbands, children, new jobs, parents getting sick, parents passing away. We have seen each other at our very best and our ugly worst. These girls are beyond special to me. I know I would be there in a second if they needed me and I trust they would do the same for me. They are the first people I texted when my dad had his heart attack last year and they were the first people I will text on Thursday when the house becomes ours. They are a part of me.

All this to say that one of these girls lost her mom last night. Her mother had a heart attack Friday and then a stroke yesterday. They had to let her go because of bleeding on the brain. So when I say I am taking a dinner to a friend today no one understands that I am taking dinner to my sister, my friend, a part of who I am. When I say my heart breaks for her and her family, it truelly breaks as she owns a part of my heart. Sometimes words are not enough to get across the relationship you have with someone.

So if you have a prayer time today I would love for you to add Karen and her very large family to your prayers. They all need it. I covet your prayers for them.

Bring me your boxes

2011-03-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

So Monday of this week I would have told you we were not getting the house. Things were draggin, communication was poor, I was very sad. I knew God has His hand on this process so I was sad (sad is an understatement) for losing the house but knew we would find something else. But today we went in and signed papers and the house is on the way to being ours. We will not "own" it until the 10th and we will not move in until the end of the month, allowing them time to pack up. This also gets us past a very busy weekend next week. I am on cloud nine. So nice to have this all done.

God is good.

I have not taken any pictures of "the" house but when we found it back in December they had a nice flyer with pictures. The below are from there. The shop in the back will probably, at some far off time, become a play area for our kids. It is two story but the top will stay storage and is not accessible for children. For the next few weeks I will be packing and trying to make all those calls to have things canceled and other things hooked up. This part of moving is not fun. But it will all be worth it. I am all tingly with glee.

Cousin Collin

2011-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is for my nephew Collin. I found out he likes to look at my blog and see pictures of his cousins. Been awhile since I posted any of them. So here are random pics that never got posted. If you knew my nephew you would do anything for him too. Such a cutie.

Read Across America Day. The kids got to wear pj's!

Alicia at her riding lessons. I never got any great pictures. Hopefully after this whole house buying business gets out of the way we can see if horse riding lessons can come back. She misses horses.

We had a Halloween party and we bobbed for apples. The kids enjoyed it while it lasted.

last chance

2011-03-02T15:37:00.000-08:00

This is your last call to buy a raffle ticket for $20.00 for a 1 in 300 chance to win $1000.00 cash and a trip to Mexico!! Plus we may not even sell 300 tickets so your odds are pretty good. :)

Also there is still a little time left to buy a ticket for the auction and dinner on March 11. This auction is a lot of fun to go to. Ben and I enjoyed this one so much in the past that we thought we would try other silent auctions. I am here to tell you that they are not all the same. Stayton Christian School throws a great shindig. Lots of fun, laughter, great food and fun things to try to buy (or try to outbid friends on). You should try it for yourself!!

What are you waiting for?

PS. You can even sit at our table for dinner if you want. Doesn't that excite you?

2011-02-25T07:57:00.000-08:00

I love the snow. Yesterday's snow was really pretty but the snow that fell last night and was left for this morning is just gorgeous. The kids had both yesterday and today off and they are in h.e.a.v.e.n. Last night I was going on and on about how pretty it was and Ben offered to drive us around town to see the beauty. It was fun. We made hot cocoa's and headed out to see what Stayton looked like with all the new white snow. We did see several families sledding and kids having snowball fights as we drove around. It was a great evening.

What is so weird that Ben works in Salem and they have no snow. WEIRD.

A great day

2011-02-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

If this day did not happen 34 years ago I would not be married to the wonderful man I have now. I have heard the story about his birth many, many times now. It is still fun to hear. Martha and Gordon were watching Kojak (had never heard of it until this story) and right as the gun was shot Martha went into labor. :)

I have felt bad for Ben for years. With tax season his birthday just gets over looked. There just isn't ever a good time. Tonight is AWANA. I thought I would take Ben out to dinner while the kids were at church but it ended up that tonight is GRAND PRIX. So we will be at church watching our kids race cars. Not quite the birthday he may have hoped for but hey, he chose his profession, right? :)

Ben has been such a blessing to me and the kids. He is really good at being a provider, a role model, a leader. We all love him. Thank you God for creating this man and giving him to me for my time on earth. He has blessed me.

(Maybe he will get snow on his birthday!)

2011-02-17T09:51:00.001-08:00

I have two tickets to the Science Circus at Elsinore this Sunday at 4:00 PM. I won them but will be out of town and would love for someone to be able to use them. maybe a date with one child?

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So the kids are still selling raffle tickets for a 1 in 300 chance for a trip to Acapulco and $1000 cash. If you are interested let us know. They would love to call you. Also if you are interested in buying tickets to the auction, March 11, let me know and I will have a form mailed to you. This would be a good chance to check out an auction, for those of you who run an auction of your own. Get some ideas and have some fun. It really is a great night.

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Still no news on the house. Things just move a bit slowly now adays.

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2011-02-14T12:08:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I love this day. If I had lots of money I think I could go overboard. I love pink and red and warm fuzzy movies. I love chocolates and flowers and being told "I love you." So this is a day I love.

Tonight I am making steak and potatoes with asparagus. Then the Alicia will head off to basketball practice and I will get ready for Ben and I to have chocolate fondue with goodies and a cheesecake sampler from Harry and David when they get back and Alicia is in bed. Yummy!!!!

I recorded P.S. I Love You and am picking up The Time Travelers Wife at redbox. I have seen both but Ben hasn't. This is the one day a year that he will watch a girly movie with me.

Three years ago I made red and pink paper chains and I saved them and they go back up each year. I have special white heart plates that I bought at Harry and David two years ago and I will hunt them down for their yearly visit. This day is made of traditions. This is a day to say I love you family-husband, kids. I love who I am with you. I love what you have made me. I love us!

Happy Valentines to you!

Dum Dum's

2011-02-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to receive Ethan's shoes for basketball today. Yesterday I went online and tracked it through UPS and it was on schedule. I then checked today and was a bit alarmed at what I saw. Anyone else see it?

Shipment Progress for 2 DAY DELIVERY
Portland, OR 02/10/2011 5:33 P.M. Arrival Scan
Roseburg, OR 02/10/2011 4:40 P.M. Departure Scan
02/10/2011 2:53 A.M. Arrival Scan
Portland, OR 02/09/2011 10:49 P.M. Departure Scan
02/09/2011 1:03 P.M. Arrival Scan
Roseburg, OR 02/09/2011 9:20 A.M. Departure Scan
02/09/2011 8:32 A.M. Arrival Scan
Sparks, NV 02/08/2011 10:48 P.M. Departure Scan
02/08/2011 6:09 P.M. Origin Scan
United States 02/08/2011 2:22 A.M. Order Processed: Ready for UPS

Yep- these little boy shoes went from Roseburg to Portland back to Roseburg then onto Portland again! Wondering if I will ever get these shoes. We would like them for his Saturday game.

Oh, I can't believe I didn't tell you blog followers of mine this funny story.

The velcro on Ethan's school/basketball shoes isn't sticking. I didn't know this last Saturday and sent him to his game wearing them. They kept falling off. It was awful. So I had Alicia remove her shoes and Ethan got to wear his sisters purple basketball shoes during his game. He was NOT a happy camper BUT they stayed on the rest of the game. SOOOOOO wish I had gotten a picture of him wearing them though.

Now you see the why we need these shoes to arrive before Saturday.

bedding

2011-02-09T10:11:00.001-08:00

Last summer when Alicia was off at camp we redid her room. It was so much fun and it gave me the itch to start decorating other rooms.

Ben and I have been sleeping under spare blankets picked up here and there for the last few years. In the 10+ that we have been married we have never really liked our bedding. Blankets are too short, don't fit around us, too scratchy, feel lumpy, etc. Just a few days ago when I was talking about bed blankets Ben asked if they actually make blankets for beds. UUUMMM, yes. Just like at hotel rooms. It is so sad that I have led my husband to believe that beds all over the world are as mismatched as ours. We also have never painted our bedroom since the day we moved in. That was supposed to happen this summer. But when we started house hunting I started to dream about a grown-up, romantic room. Ben and I decided we like the look of hotel rooms. (We had our two week road trip this last summer and saw quite a few hotel beds) That is what led me to this bedding set.

So I picked out my bedding from potterybarn.com and then I found parts of it on ebay. The duvet I got had a small rip, that she repaired, on the backside and brought the price from $169.00 retail to $59.99. That was well worth a small repair to me. No one will ever see it and I saved a bundle. The duvet and a flat sheet came today. I ordered the porcelain blue (which I thought would be a pale grayish blue) but it is more a seafoam green color. Thankfully when I was trying to decide what to do in our room this shade of green was on the shortlist or I would be very sad. I am still a bit disappointed but I know it will work fine with the accent colors, two different shades of brown, I plan on using.

I would like to try to add this also from potterybarn.com but in a white linen not burlap:
and made by me. The tutorial is at this website.

Now I have to take a sham (the duvet owner threw in a sham that had been ruined as an extra) to the paint store and start thinking about what colors our walls will be. Whether it is this house or in a future house. Who knew decorating could be so much fun!

Inspiration Feb 7.11

2011-02-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

In the last week I have found so many things that I love for myself, things I like but won't use, or things I would love to try or buy.

So I am going to share them with you and share the sites that I found them at.

traditional kids design by other metros media and blogs Centsational Girl

First I love traveling. And my kids love maps. I think it is a great thing for kids to see maps, have easy access. This room is something I adore. Would love to do something similar someday.

From Living with Punks I found an item I will make some day. More specifically I will have someone make for me. hehe. I have an idea where I would like them to go and what I would like them to look like, but that will be another post.

Next from Crafty Sisters I found a mirror I would love to try and make someday. Not sure I will ever get to it but WOW.

Then I love about everything at 320 * Sycamore. The post I am linking is what first brought me to her blog. AMAZING.

contemporary kids design

This room I love, I want to use some ideas for the kids.

I found the above decorated rooms at houzz.com. This site has an amazing amount of rooms that are decorated gorgeously. It lets you browse by style or room and see what you like and you can even ask questions about something in a room and people answer.

I want to share so much more so I will leave those for another post. There are some great blogs out there though with some women doing some amazing things for a great price. You should start checking them out and get inspired!

2011-02-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

As I dream of buying our new house I have been finding my self looking for new decorating ideas. This a bit new to me. I love visiting my friends house and seeing the way they decorate but never really felt the need to do it in this house. BUT I feel myself so connected to the "other" house that I am constantly thinking of what I want to do in each room. I have been perusing new blogs that focus on decorating and love the ones that focus on decorating cheaply. I have found a few items that I plan on buying at some point. I am now trying to figure out how I will afford all I want to do. It will definitely have to be a process. But I am so excited.

Do you have decorating blogs you follow? Or magazines you get ideas from? TV Shows? Any help?

I am now wanting to go antiquing and try flea markets. Does anyone know of any great areas for these (besides Silverton or Aurora.) Been checking craigslist but this area just doesn't have much.

save the hands!!

2011-02-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weekends we have been trying to get the house in order to rent. Yard work, a few repairs, etc. We headed into Salem and bought a dishwasher at Lowes. It came in yesterday so this morning I took the long way into town to pick it up. Drove through the country and took pleasure in Gods creation and no traffic. (Sounds very cheesey but it's the truth!) So many animals were out today. the new dishwasher was carefully placed in my van and now sits in my driveway. I am not sure when it will be hooked up but I am so excited!!! No more hand washing dishes. No more dishes in the sink or on the counter. I am thrilled.

But on a very sad note, as I drove home today I had my first causality of driving. A bird smacked the top of my van. It was headed towards my window so I was glad it at least flew up a bit so I didn't have to see the killing. very sad.

Valentines Day

2011-02-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

So what are you guys doing for Valentines Day? I need ideas. For years past we have put the kids to bed and pulled out cheese and chocolate fondues while watching a romantic movie. The problem is fondue can get expensive and we don't eat all of it and there is no movie out right now (on DVD) that I would feel a good V-Day movie. I am at a loss. Especially with Ben's birthday just a week after.

HELP!

Water Works

2011-01-31T09:10:00.001-08:00

Boy, Hallmark really knows how to make tear jerkers. I recorded The Lost Valentine last night and watched it today. Cry, cry, cry. I have been blessed with 10+ years with my love. I shouldn't take any of those for granted.

Even the Hallmark commercials get me. Usually I fast forward through commercials but these, these I watch. Watch and cry through.

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This morning after Ethan crawled in bed with us he asked Ben, "Would you give our house to a poor person?" How do you answer that kind of a question. Ethan has such an amazing heart. He truly hurts for those in need. When he sees people hurting he always wants to help and if he can't help he will think about it and want to talk about it for quite awhile. I wish I could get inside his head and know what he is thinking, where his thoughts come from and where they go. I can't wait to see what God has planned for his life.

no change

2011-01-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

Some of you have been asking how the house hunting is going. We put an offer on a house and after some back and forth we have an agreement and are now in escrow. Now it is a waiting game. There hasn't been much change in the last week and they said today it will be a few more weeks before we hear more. They have to schedule an appraisal and the underwriting. We did have an inspection done this week and it got a great score. We are happy. I am trying not to get too excited. So many things can still go wrong. But I am looking at new bedding. Trying to figure out how I want to decorate our new bedroom, what colors to use, what feel we want. I have to tell myself to not get too excited, not be too disappointed if it doesn't work out. But it is a real charmer. I fell in love right away. But I do love my house now so I will be just fine if we have to try again on a different house. (gotta keep telling myself this.)

Sick Day

2011-01-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

When I am sick I like to watch movies that I have seen before. Movies I am comfortable with, have the lines memorized, could miss a few minutes of(if I decide to take a short cat nap) and already know what happened.
Today I am sick and I have the first Harry Potter movie in. I may watch a couple in the series today. I am also munching on a strawberry popsicle tucked under my soft blue blanket with the fire on. Sounds wonderful, except, I feel yucky. But I am on strict orders to get better TODAY so I am doing whatever it takes to be a submissive wife and obey. :)

As a sidetracked note, I think one of the best things about these movies is the music. The music is whimsical, haunting, enchanting. When I hear it on a commercial to go to the Harry Potter Park in Orlando I feel moved to go buy tickets and go right this minute. It excites me. End of note.

one less child

2011-01-21T12:14:00.000-08:00

It probably seems strange that I keep talking about families adopting from Ethiopia. No, we are not adopting! but these stories have captured my heart. Today a particular post caught my attention I wanted to share it with you. It is about the American family meeting the Ethiopian mother and the emotions that go with that. The adoptive mother just has a way with words and I found myself crying for the loss. Please take a moment and read it.
When we Belong

I have read, and now follow, many blogs on adopting from Ethiopia. This country is losing so many children. I am so grateful that Americans are able to adopt these children, give them a future. But I feel saddened that they are losing their beautiful babies. I just hurt for this country. A country with people God created. With people God loves. But a country that cannot care for their people. It hurts my heart.

Sad facts we should all be aware of

2011-01-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

I have been following a few blogs of families adopting children from Ethiopia. I am not sure why but the whole process fascinates me. Today I found one blog with statistics that just make me want to cry. O, who am I kidding, I did cry. Thought I would share those facts with you.

on a hunt

2011-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

This weekend was a bit out of the norm. We don't usually visit Ben's parents in Portland and we don't normally go house hunting .

yep, house hunting. We are looking for a house in Sublimity. Our realtor, Levi Wilson of Ned Baker Real Estate, has shown us a few houses. There are only a few houses to really look at. Not a lot for sale right now. But we have a couple on our possible list and are hoping some more go up for sale. It's fun to go through houses and see what we like or don't like. What we think is important and what we think is bad design. What we would pay for and what we think is not worth it to our family. We aren't in a huge rush so we can try to be patient but once I start something I become obsessed. Patience isn't really something I was born with. And we don't really want to be still looking when interest rates start to climb back up. We want to be locked into a great rate.

I have been trying to go through our stuff to prepare for an eventual move day. Thankfully for me, but not for them, my inlaws are out of town so I used their garbage can this last week. :) Which leads me to the other thing we did this weekend.

Almost every Sunday of my kids existence has been spent at the Wilson's house. But today and last Sunday they have been in Portland. Martha's mother had her lung removed and is still at the hospital. So last night we went up and saw the parents. Colleen could not have visitors because of a risk of virus' but we wanted to spend time with Gordon and Martha. We went out for dinner and saw where they have been staying the last few weeks. The kids were very happy to see them.

So it was a different weekend, but a weekend that might become more normal as the hunt continues. It has been 8ish years since we last looked at houses and so much has changed in what we want in a house. It's fun and I am thankful we have a patient realtor.

2011-01-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

This month I am spending time going through every cabinet, cupboard, nook and cranny and cleaning, organizing, and purging. Really what I am doing is tossing "stuff." Stuff I have kept thinking I will use someday. I want to have a cleaner more organized house. I have already put a few boxes of junk, I mean treasure, away for a garage sale. I also have the BIGGEST bag of garbage and I only went through our game area and two cabinets in the kitchen! I thought I would have a garage sale in the spring but now I am thinking a garage sale in February/March might be better. :) I am going to have to pace myself or I won't have enough room in the garbage can this week.

new year, new goals

2011-01-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

This year I have made a few goals for myself. Not resolutions but goals. There are things I want to get done this year or things I want to work on.
One thing I want to do is not only stick to our budget but stay well under it so I can put the excess away in a savings--for fun things not in our budget.

One way to do this is to be much better about meal planning. I have created my January menu(and therefore grocery list). When I plan meals out and buy the ingredients needed beforehand I am more apt to go to the grocery store less and to not go out to eat when I can't think of something to make. I am also making sure that at least once a week I make something to put away in our freezer. I would like to have enough dinners put away so that we don't use our eating out budget--more for saving.

Another thing I started, and plan on continuing, is reading to my kids at bedtime. We all have been enjoying this time together. I know a lot of families already do this but it was never something my kids wanted. Now that they do I don't want this time to go to waste. I want them to remember when their mom read them classics as children.

I also am doing the Chronological Bible in a year. I am excited to try this. I have read the other Bible's-in-a-year but I have never read it in this way and it has been awhile too. It sounds very interesting to me.

There are a few other goals I have set and a few other plans we have made as a family but those are more personal. All this is to say I am excited about 2011. I think this is going to be a great year. A year of growth.

Now my questions to you. What do you plan to accomplish this year? What books do you suggest I read after the Narnia series to my kids? And what are some of your favorite dinners, I am always looking for new ideas.

2011-01-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a year of love, growth and new adventures. I know I plan on it!

December, a look back

2010-12-27T08:56:00.001-08:00

I love Christmas. I love the month leading up to it with all the shopping, baking, parties, fun dates, etc. We did so much and I did not take pictures of it all. I am therefore going to just pick a few highlights. December 18th we had the Wilson Christmas! I love this day. Sometimes I like "away Christmas" better just so we can do our Wilson Christmas Day. We travel to each families house and spend just enough time eating something yummy that family has made. It's fun to see how each family decorates their house adn tree and eat something they have made. We started at 9 in the morning and after visiting each house, ended back at Gordon and Martha's house for stockings and the traditional Wilson Christmas breakfast for linner. It's good times, if a bit noisy and chaotic.
The Wednesday before Christmas my sister's family came down and spent the night at our house. That was an unexpected treat for the kids. They don't see their cousins too often so it's fun for them to get together.
Thursday night Ben and I went out on a date. We always try to go on a date in December. Usually we go to dinner and watch a movie but this year there wasn't a movie I was dying to see. We went out to Caruso's in Keizer and had a very yummy, romantic dinner. We then went to Keizer station for some Christmas shopping. It was a low key evening but one of our best dates.
Christmas Eve Ben had off this year. We went and saw Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader! I loved this film. I thought it was better then then the first two. I cried. When we got home I started reading The Silver Chair, book 4 in Publication Order, to them. I have always wanted to read this series to them but they had never been interested. Ethan must be at a better age because he wanted me to and they are both loving it.
As I write some of the highlights of the month I am reminded just what an awesome month we had. We tried to drive home to our kids just how blessed we are. We have amazing friends, a house we love, plenty of food, and this time of year it is nice to remember that God sent his son to earth as a human. A roll I would not want to take on if I was God. He then died for our sins so we can spend eternity in His presence! What an amazing gift.

Bah-humbug

2010-12-16T20:28:00.000-08:00

I was so proud of myself. In mid November I created adorable photocards on a website with pictures of my children playing in the snow. They said something like, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" I then waited patiently for them to arrive so I could address them and send them out to you all. Yesterday I checked my order because it seemed forever. They supposedly shipped it but there is no ship date. I contacted them but there was no response yet. So this year there will be no Christmas cards. I am a little bummed and then a bit relieved not to go running around looking for addresses. I did pay for them so I am hoping this company at least responds and gives me my money back!

So don't stop sending me cards because I didn't get you one this year. I meant to. It's the thought that counts, right?

Cookie help needed

2010-12-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

I am looking for some yummy Christmas cookie recipes. I have made 4-5 different cookie recipes this week and the tried and trusted ones are great but the new ones I tried really were flops. I need a couple more great cookie recipes. Ones that scream CHRISTMAS. Please save me. O, and I need them like NOW. :)

PS They do not need to be gluten free. They are not for me.

Christmas tips from my friend Pam to you

2010-12-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

I have a friend that wrote this up. It is sooo worth sharing.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

imaginary friends

2010-12-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

I am watching Sunday's at Tiffinay's and I am loving this movie, laughing out loud. I wish I had read this book before I saw the movie. It reminds me of a Cecilia Ahern book that had imaginary friends. Anyway if you are looking for a good love movie this is it. So cute and good actors. Just what I needed today for a pick me up.

getting ready for some war

2010-12-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

I bought Ben a "I love my Ducks" shirt for a stocking present but I think I am breaking it out early so he can wear it tomorrow. Need to be dressed appropriately for war.

amazing families

2010-12-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

For awhile now I have been following two different blogs written by moms in the process of each adopting a baby girl from Ethiopia. It is so amazing to read their stories. At this point both families are actually IN Ethiopia picking up their girls. One of the families has asked for prayer as their paper work has been moving slowly. And as you can imagine they are in the country now and need the paperwork to be finalized. I encourage you to read her blog an then pray for her, her family, and the Ethiopians working her case.

Adoption:Mission Possible

This is the other blog I am keeping up on. They are friends and are traveling together to the same orphanage to bring home their child. Both families are also from Oregon!
PATHS

A real Snow Day

2010-11-29T15:39:00.000-08:00

Saturday the kids and I somehow convinced Ben to take us up to the snow. I love taking day trips as a family. We have such good times, lots of talking and laughing and fun snacks. We left early, about 8, and made it up the snow where we went to our usual spot, a parking lot. We then played for a couple hours. Ben and Alicia worked on an igloo while Ethan and I just played in the snow. Really I just like to sit and take in the beauty of it all and throw an occasional snow ball. Especially since if I tried to walk in the snow I would fall through all the way to my bottom. It was deep. I had to crawl everywhere. Maybe some snowshoes are needed in my future. Because I woud use them so often here in the valley.
We then headed into Sisters for lunch. We were recommended Three Creeks Brewery by a local and it was so yummy. I think we could eat at this restaurant every day and be happy. Then we drove on home. It was a great day. the snow was fresh and perfect for playing in. It was deep and plentiful. It did not rain on us as it has in years past. It actually snowed lightly throughout the day. I hope we can get in another snow day before winter is over. It was a great family day.

Sadly before we left for the day I realized my camera's battery was dead. I charged it while we finished getting everything together but that was only 5 minutes. I got some pictures but my battery died before they finished the igloo. I am so sad as it actually turned out and looked really cool. In one of the pictures you can see the blocks around Alicia. That is the base of the igloo.

Alicia just loves me taking her picture!

Found!!

2010-11-28T08:09:00.000-08:00

I am so excited. This morning my boy was looking in the couches for a Nintendo DS game and found something I had misplaced a month ago! I had looked everywhere, I thought, and had given up. Thought I must have thrown them out with the garbage. I have been using the spare keys to the van but they do not have a house key and I am afraid of losing them and having no key. :) I have been feeling pretty bad about losing them and now am so happy.

Happy Sunday for me!

Acapulco, Mexico

2010-11-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

The kids' school is selling raffle tickets again this year with winner being chosen at the auction in March. This year instead of 500 tickets they are only selling 300 and the winner will find themselves on their way to Mexico! With only 300 tickets being sold your chances of winning are really good, tickets are $20.00 each.

If you are interested in purchasing a ticket for a real chance at winning a Mexican vacation you can check out the resort here and then give me (or Alicia and Ethan) a call or email. The place looks amazing!

Winner will enjoy 7 nights in Acapulco and $1000 cash will also be awarded.

I think these would make great Christmas gifts or a great find in someones stocking!

P.S. We have a brochure about the resort you can add to the ticket to make the present better to look at. :)

2010-11-18T11:10:00.000-08:00

I want snow, I want snow, I want snow.

That's it.

Garlic Jim's

2010-11-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

My hubby spoiled me today. He got a text from Garlic Jim's that they had a buy one pizza get one free today. So he bought me two gluten free pizzas. I divided the slices up and froze them. When we have pizza night, most Fridays, I take my packets out of the freezer and reheat them on my pampered chef stoneware. It tastes almost as good as fresh. Well, at least close enough to cure that craving I have for pizza.

I love my hubby.

12 Days of Christmas

2010-11-15T16:10:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to finish up my Christmas shopping and got to thinking about the 12 days of Christmas. People were talking about how they buy small things for their husbands starting December 13 and ending on Christmas. I thought this would be a nice way to show Ben some extra attention and decided to look up the origin of 12 days of Christmas. I may be the only one who really didn't know the meaning of this but I found that is actually a religious tradition. Also, I didn't know that it actually starts on Christmas and ends January 5, the day of Epiphany. The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. Now I am unsure how or if I want to take part in this. Will be mulling this one over. Maybe I will just use my ideas for his stocking.

background

2010-11-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

I am going to have this background up for one week. I know not all of you want to see this every time you check my blog but I am very excited for the latest movie to come out this week. I am a Harry Potter fan, sue me.

2010-11-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

I have been working in Christmas presents the last few days. Even have a few wrapped and put up. Last year we did 3 presents, like baby Jesus. This year we are doing something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you read. It's been fun to think of something in each category. I told the fam this morning that they need to get me something in each category too. I am truly a comedian. Anyway, after the laughter faded away I said they could pick one category and I would fill in the other gifts. Again, I should be paid for the things I say.

A girl can dream.

This is what I want for Christmas.

That and pots.

And amazon money for my Kindle.

Goodness now that I sit here I can think of many things I want. :)

And the thing I have wanted for years but know I may be 90 before I can afford:

for love of my sister

2010-11-07T07:42:00.001-08:00

Occasionally I am creative. But not very often. I mean if you need someone to come do some graffiti on your school or church I may be able to do that. This is not true of my mom and sister though. They are artists. Not sure why I missed out on this gene and instead got the kidney stone gene but that is another story. Anyway, my sister just opened up a store at etsy. She has just a couple items out right now but I want you to go check her out, bookmark her, send her link to everyone you love, Oh and buy from her. :) Think stocking stuffers.

Want to know what this? Go check it out.
godizlife's store

fall

2010-11-06T15:34:00.001-07:00

I love the fall. I love the colors on the trees. The sounds the leaves make. I love the weather-blue skies and cooler days. I love back to school routines. And I love that it seems to usher in THE Holidays. I am so ready for them. Good food, lots of family and friends, buying presents, Christmas music, Christmas programs. It is all so much fun.

So you can imagine what an avid reader does on a fall day that seems to be ushering THE Holidays in. Yep, searching Amazon for some good Christmas books. I like to collect a good 10 and then read them over the next 2 months. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know a few of you also like Christmas books so hopefully we can all help each other.

love my kids

2010-11-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

This week has been no picnic for my kids. A mom who does nothing, absolutely nothing, but lie on a couch is not fun. But they have behaved and they have stepped up. Of course my mother in law has helped some with that. They have loved spending extra time at her house. Right now they are making a fort in the living room and having a grand time. It is so nice to have kids that are old enough and responsible enough to get their own lunch, find things to do by themselves, bring me things. I am so proud of my kiddos.

elbow grease

2010-11-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Our dishwasher is broken. A few days ago I heard sounds so I opened it up and there was a fire. I quickly closed the door and steam came out of every crack. I tried to turn it off but that wasn't working. Every time we opened the door the water would whip around the room. It would have been quite humorous if it wasn't very annoying. Ben was able to have the circuit turned off and then shut it off. It smelled so bad and even now terrible burnt smells can be found wafting through the kitchen. I don't want to buy a new one because they are so expensive, so until I find a great sale we will be hand washing. Do you guys know if there is a time of year when appliances are a good price? Until then my kids might be learning what it was like for most of us as children to wash dishes after dinner every night.

still waiting

2010-11-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Last week we painted over the kids' rubber ducky yellow bathroom, including a yellow ceiling. It is a boring, calm beige now. I am so thankful we (we said loosely as Ben painted it) did that as I have spent more time in their bathroom over the last two days and I am pretty sure that the yellow would not have been a fun color to be sick in.

I know some of you have heard that passing kidney stones is similar to child birth. Here is another thing. I am so sick that not very much sounds good but I have a strange craving for mashed potatoes and gravy. Weird I know.

Kidney Stones (4 of them)

2010-11-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

I had a visit to the ER this morning. I don't really want to post about the whole thing now but need to get a post in for today. So please pray that I pass these kidney stones with minimal pain, as it has been very painful so far.

Big Ginger Cookies

2010-11-01T17:39:00.000-07:00

I have tried a few years, and accomplished last year, to blog every day in the month of November. I will give it the ol' college try again this November. I will start you all off with a recipe I needed to email a friend and decided it was worth sharing with ya'll. It is a great Holiday cookie and most men love this recipe.

Martha's
(as in Stewart
not Wilson)
Big Ginger Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
1/2 cup sanding or granulated sugar

Directions
1.Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (I like parchment paper with these so don't cut this step out), and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, allspice, and white pepper; set aside.
2.In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter with light-brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg; mix well. Add the reserved dry ingredients, and beat until just combined. Form dough into a ball, and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
3.Remove dough from refrigerator. Using an ice-cream scoop, shape dough into 2-inch-diameter balls. Pour sanding sugar into a large bowl, and roll balls in sanding sugar, coating well. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spaced 4 inches apart; flatten each into a 3-inch-diameter disk.
4.Transfer to oven, and bake until brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.

I will say that I like these cookies soft. I usually add potato bread to the container I store these in as they help keep them soft and sometimes make them even softer.

And the above picture is not one I took. The cookies do look JUST like these but I don't take pictures of the foods I make. I found one online and "borrowed" it.

random thoughts on weather

2010-10-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

When we went to bed last night there was a frog singing. I love listnening to frogs and it was so comforting to fall asleep with a frog croaking and the rain falling. I miss the sun and its heat but I do love to listen to the rain.

I am also bummed that today is such a beautiful day and Sunday is supposed to rain. Seems such a waste of good weather.

Alicia and I heard that some areas back East buy snow suits and decorate them so that they don't have to cover their costumes with coats. She thought this was a great idea.

Return of the Quack.

2010-10-21T20:19:00.001-07:00

Last year I posted the video for "I love my Ducks:I Smell Roses." I just had to add the new one that is out. I know it's been out a bit but I like posting things so I can find them again.

I love my Ducks!

And here it is: Return of the Quack

Holiday Season is upon us

2010-10-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

How can I help? EASY AS PIE.... Order a pie or cobbler from us, or anyone attending Stayton Christian for that matter. Alicia and Ethan are both trying to win a class party. Please help them out and have your pies, fruit and cobblers back just in time to bake up fresh for Thanksgiving. Order extra for Christmas too. ;)
Pies available: 40 oz
Pumpkin Chiffon $13 Specialty pie of the month
American Apple $12
Marionberry $12
Cherry Crunch $12
Mini Pies: $4 "Pie for YOU or pie for TWO"
American Apple
Cherry
Marionberry
Raspberry Rhubarb
Peach
Cobblers: $9 26 oz.Forrest Berry
Marionberry
Peach
IQF Fruit: $8 2 lbs ripe fresh berries frozen
Blueberries
Red Raspberries
Strawberries

Thank you Alyssa. I cut and pasted from your blog. hehe

Birthday shopping

2010-10-14T08:29:00.001-07:00

Since my kids were itty bitty my mom has come up on Columbus Day and taken me shopping. We use to take the kids with us, then they started school and now they are both in all day school!! Some years my birthday falls on Columbus Day sometimes not. This year it did but the Christian school gave them a 5 day weekend and they were home on Columbus Day. BOO. So my mom came up on Wednesday and we went out for our day of fun. We went to Salem first for breakfast at Word of Mouth. That place is so good. So good. We have decided to add that to our annual date. Then we headed up to the Woodburn outlet for some shopping. I found some things for myself and some Christmas presents for the kids. I also bought some snow pants. That has made my week. My old snow bibs were from college. They do not fit well at all!! So now I can go out with my kids and not worry about those awful pants.

We had time left so we then headed to Target where I found the decorations for my kids bathroom. I have wanted to redo it since the day we painted it yellow. Now I know which direction I want to go.

It was a super day, the weather also cooperated.

I love the time I get to spend with my mom. I hope we do this for another 30 years. I would love to start this tradition when Alicia moves off.

homemade bolognese sauce recipe (gluten free as well)

2010-10-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

This is my new favorite bolognese sauce. I got it off of The Pioneer Woman site. She had a guest cook on about a year and a half ago and he made this. It is also his picture as when I made it today I didn't know I would be blogging about it and didn't take a picture. :)
I love it in lasagna as it stands up really well. It doesn't get runny and leaves a piece of lasagna looking good. It also tastes better and I know what is in it, completely healthy and gluten free.

Hope you try it and find it is just what you have been looking for. O, and it has a hidden veggie for those of you with kids.

Ryan's Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients
■½ cups Olive Oil
■1-½ cup Grated Carrots
■1 whole Large Red Onion, Diced
■2 pounds Ground Beef
■2 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
■2 Tablespoons Dried Basil Flakes
■1 can (6 Ounce) Tomato Paste
■5 cloves Garlic, Minced
■1 cup (to 2 Cups) Red Wine---------I use cranberry juice and still love the taste
■2 Tablespoons Worcestershire
■2 cans (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes
■1 cup Milk
■Salt And Pepper, to taste
■Fresh Parmesan Cheese

Preparation Instructions
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add grated carrots and onions and cook for a few minutes. Make a well in the center of the mixture, and then add in the ground beef. Cook for a few minutes until brown, gradually stirring it into the carrot mixture.

Throw in oregano and basil. Use fresh if you have it; if you don’t, it’s fine. When the meat is browned and combined with other ingredients, make another well. Add tomato paste and let it heat. Add garlic and stir to combine.

Make a well in the center of the mixture and add red wine (or cranberry juice). Stir together. Add Worcestershire and stir. Add canned tomatoes. Finally, pour in milk, stir, and let simmer for 30 minutes to 2 hours—however long you need.

Serve with pasta and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.

Fall sports

2010-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

So the kids are doing soccer again this fall. This year Alicia is old enough to be on a team of just 3-4 grade girls. I am loving watching her. There is such a difference in the ability between the 1-2 grade team and this team. I mean I enjoy watching Ethan but watching his sister is so much more exciting. :)
And because they are an all girl team they can have a color like pink for their tee shirts!!
Ben is helping coach Ethan's team again this year. Ethan likes this but it makes game days a bit harder. Ben has to stay with Ethan and I go with Alicia if their games overlap. Kind of stinks for him to miss her games but I am glad I get to be the one to go with her. hehe They both seem to like being forwards. Alicia has gotten her fair share of being a goalie as well this year. She has decided she doesn't really care for that position.

They both seem to love soccer. I think we will continue this sport every year while we can. I know Alicia has most likely decided not to play basketball again this year. She didn't enjoy it that much last year.

Choose to SEE Him!

2010-10-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

"...when the path is darkest , He leaves little bits of evidence all along the way-bread crumbs of grace-that can give me what I need to take the next step. But I can only find them if I choose to SEE."
Mary Beth Chapman

I just finished Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman. It was suggested by Alyssa Worst and it was a great recommendation. Mary Beth writes about her life and some of her lifelong thorns. She also walks through the process of adoption and then about the loss of her youngest, Maria. I cried at almost every page. The Chapman family has gone through some amazingly tough situations and through it all have been able to turn to the Lord. They are still walking through tough days but they have not let Satan tear them apart. I wish I had bought this book in real hands-on format but I got it on my Kindle. Otherwise I would be loaning it to every one of you. It talks mostly about how their family walked through the loss and kept the faith but it has something for everyone who has gone through any type of problem.

In the background they talked about their son, Caleb, who has started his own band. I went online today and I love his voice!!! LOVE IT. I would download his songs but sadly I don't really care for the songs themselves. Hmmm, I am hoping I can follow this young mans career and find some songs I would love to buy.

Go to the library today and read this book. You will find something in it will speak to you. It also may give you a desire to adopt. :)

blogging stats

2010-09-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law has quit the blogging world for a bit. When she decided to stop she got to looking at the stats page that blogger.com gives each blogger. I knew it was there but didn't know it would tell me which countries also look at my blog. She informed me of this. Some countries have readers that visited a post once or twice but I think I may have an actual reader in South Korea. I don't know why 26 different South Koreans would visit my blog. I think it must be the same person visiting 26 times, 7 times just this month. Kind of cool huh? The country that comes in second with 17 visits is the Netherlands! O, how I wish I could visit these countries, or at least the blogs of these readers.

Have you guys ever checked out your stats?

Are you an out-of-country reader of mine?

Post here if you have an answer to either question.

More information

2010-09-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Addendum for those who have asked:
Alicia started to loose her teeth at 4. Most of her baby teeth are gone now and the teeth most kids loose between 10-12 she is losing now. They need to make a little room for those new teeth. They said she is at a 6, and at a 7 they pull teeth. They are using braces right now to shift teeth and make room for those teeth that are loose. They still put braces on most kids in junior high but she really has a mouth of adult teeth needing some help. When they are done she will need a retainer. Probably one that looks like this rainbow thing. :)

Another first today

2010-09-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

Alicia got 4 little braces today! She also got spacers so next week we go back and they will add bands. She will have her teeth worked on for the next 30 months and, hopefully, sometime in 5th grade have everything taken off and have beautifully straight, perfect teeth.

This was the first time at this building so they walked us through each area and what Alicia will do at each appointment. Then then took xrays, pictures and molds of her teeth. She then got the braces put on.
Can you see the little key ring thing she is holding? That is all the colors she could choose from! there were SOOOO many. I wasn't back there when she chose so I was surprised by her choice. Hot pink. They look so cute on my little girl.
It was all very fast.

She is now in a bit of pain. She is hungry but doesn't want to eat. Poor thing.

Class of 2020

2010-09-27T09:38:00.001-07:00

I just now realized that my daughter will be the CLASS of 2020. I think that sounds really cool. And, thankfully, that sounds a long ways off.

Ethan will be the class of 2022! Yowsers.

Summer Beach Fun 2010

2010-09-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

We were extra blessed this summer. We were able to do our normal day trips to the beach and we were also given a free weekend at Depoe Bay and one at Otter Crest. Depoe Bay was in an adorable beach house and the other in timeshare condo units. We had all kinds of weather but two weekends ago when we were at Otter Crest we lucked out and had the most amazing weather. AMAZING. The kids played so well that Ben and I got to sit and read for hours. It was truly a super weekend.
I didn't want to leave any random beach pictures out so I am putting all beach pictures together in one post. I love the one above where the shadow of my fam is picked up in the tidepool water.

Can you tell which days were good weather and which days were overcast and freezing, well at least freezing to me?

The last weekend in august

2010-09-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

For the last 3 years Ben has taken Ethan to "hunting camp" the last weekend in August. His family hunts so they go and Ben takes Ethan and they camp. Ethan LOVES it. This year he got to shoot a BB gun and had a plastic bow and suction arrows that he used. He had a grand time.

But this post is not about that. As some of you remember I have posted over the last years about looking for fun things to do while Alicia and I are left behind. We have watched movies, did our nails, ate candy, and other girly things. This year Alicia and I headed up north with the boys on a Thursday and got dropped off at PDX. We caught a plane and headed to Disneyland!
We got there in the late afternoon. We didn't go into the parks that night but the next morning we headed out and were there at gate opening. I took Alicia on the Indiana Jones ride first off and that ruined the rest of the trip for me. She was scared to death. TO DEATH. She did not want to do any big rides after that.
I can't remember every detail but I do know Friday was very hot. We were wilting. It was miserably hot. (O, and the crowds were insane, i.n.s.a.n.e!) Come early evening Alicia was beat. That should have been a sign to me. We didn't stay for fireworks because Alicia just wanted her bed. That night she woke up sick. (puking and fever) The next morning she was still feeling pretty poor. We did head back out next morning and stayed to have our scheduled lunch at the Blue Bayou. I was impressed with the place but Alicia was clueless. After lunch we went back to the hotel for a nap. Alicia was really not feeling well. I felt so bad for her because she wanted to make me happy but she really only wanted to ride the train around and around the park. After our nap we went back and did a few rides and shopped and we made it to the fireworks show We then rushed back to our room and bed. Poor Alicia. By the end of the trip we rode the jungle cruise, the train, and Buzz Light Year numerous times. We also ate some amazing things in just two days. YUMMY things.
Sunday morning we woke up and she was feeling much better but today was the day we were taking a plane home.
As we checked in at the airport I went to take my cell out of my pocket as we we went through the scan and realized it had fallen out in the shuttle bus! I was anxious as Ben was picking us up on his way home from hunting camp. We weren't sure exactly what time he was coming so I had to borrow some cell phone and use some pay phones. It was very annoying.
Ben did finally meet up with us and we headed on home. The next day the kids started school so I was anxious to get the kids home cleaned and ready for a school day.
We didn't really have a great time. We did make some memories and we did bond but it was not fun. But Ben and I had agreed on the girls taking this trip because Alicia and I needed some time together without fighting. That was accomplished.
(Ali is her nickname down in Creswell. We took this picture for my mom.)

Horse lover

2010-09-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

Should I state the obvious? It's been awhile since I have posted. I have so much to catch up on too, Disneyland, soccer, summer fun, etc.! Today I will post on my beautiful daughter.

Last year at our school auction Ben and I bid on horse riding lessons for Alicia. She had been asking for years and we had put her off for about as long as we could. We bid on two separate beginner packages and won both. So Alicia started two weeks ago with the 2 lesson package from a parent of her classmates. That was a great way to start. We trust Kim Cathcart and Alicia was familiar with her. Alicia loves loves loves it. Next week she starts the other package. It is 10 lessons at a place just down the road from us. I hope she loves this lady and farm as much as the Cathcarts.

Kim said Alicia has natural talent and if she sticks with this she could be really good. This is not a real surprise to me as she just has a way with animals. They don't scare her and she respects them. But it is nice to hear.

She needs to get boots so if you know anyone who has riding boots in a size 2 they have outgrown we would love to have them. :) They are expensive and we don't want to spend the money until we know exactly what we are getting ourselves into. If she want to stick with it, where she would continue to take lessons, how much it costs, etc.

number 9 and number 10

2010-08-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

We have all heard the rhyme:

What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails
And puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice
And all that's nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

I used to think that rhyme was warped, wrong, and downright mean to boys. Now that I am a mom I understand it a bit more. Also, I am an auntie to 8 kiddos (from both sides of Ben and my family), and only one of those is a girl. There are lots of boys running around in my life. They are full of energy and very dirty. I love these boys and I have fun seeing them play but I would love more girls.

Last Sunday my sister-in-law told me she is having a baby in April!!! I am so excited and am praying God blesses her, us, with a girl. Another boy would be fun and we will love that boy BUT a little girl would be so “nice.”
Then Tuesday night a different sister-in-law came by to say they are having a baby, also in April.
Two babies.
Two babies in April.
I am so excited. I love when the mother goes into labor and the Wilson family heads down to the hospital and we all wait the arrival of the wee one.
But best of all we now have two chances for "sugar and spice."

2010-08-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

I love summer fruit. yummy. For the last 3-4 summers my sister-in-law brings back, from Washington, some CHEAP peaches. This year I bought 2 boxes of fresh peaches. They are really good. I thought I would can and jam them but so far I have been preparing them for pies. You prepare the peach pie recipe and then freeze them in foil in the pie dish. Once frozen, take foil out of dish, wrap them up and slip in a freezer bag. Then when I want a fresh peach pie this winter I just unfoil them and they will fit right back into the pie dish! So easy. I figure these will be great for desserts to bring places or to give families. I may just do all the peaches this way, minus the ones we eat on through the week! Well, I may freeze a few for smoothies for the kids for the school year.

I am hoping to freeze some blackberries this week as well. Blackberries are my very favorite.

So You Think You Can Dance

2010-08-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

So I just watched last nights finale and I have to say that the "Super Star" had me busting up laughing so hard. I think that may be one of my favorite moments in 7 seasons. The dance she danced with Twitch was one of my favorites that was done earlier this season.

Still laughing!

Go here to watch it!

2010-08-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

Not too many exciting things going on around the Wilson house. But I figured it was time for a new post.

Our house is ready for school. We have played lots of legos, gone swimming about twice a week, played some electronic games, gone to the zoo, had a weekend at the beach, had play dates at the park, read a few books, taken a long road trip, watched Toy Story 3. Not much more to expect from a summer break.

It's about time for school to start. Just a couple more weekends.

It's killing me

2010-08-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

I hate driving. Have a crazy fear/hatred of it. Will not drive on I-5, really try to avoid even going to Salem.

I would love to take my daughter to Disneyland when the boys head to hunting camp the last weekend in August for just a few days. But the plane tickets/transportation from airport to hotel is too much. I know if I was brave enough to just drive down and back I would have a better chance at swinging it but I am not brave. I am a coward. It's killing me that I let fear get in the way of doing things I really want to do.

I know I took out a chunk of that fear when I got my licence 4 years back and I know I am a little more confident about driving but I still cling to my fear. Sometime I am going to have to take a swing and knock some more fear off my back! It is not Godly. It is not healthy.

So there you have it. Fear is what I need to work on.

What does a 15 year old know of love

2010-08-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

In 1992, eight years before I married Ben, I read a poem in The Return To Zion, by Bodie Thoene, that I loved. I loved it so much that I wrote it in my journal. Today is a big day and I knew this day deserved a special post. I knew I had to find that poem. I hadn’t read it since I put it in the journal but I remember it was all about love and would be perfect for today. So I went page by page through the journals and found it.

10 years ago today Ben and I got married in a little church in Creswell. It was a hot day but it was perfect.

Here is that poem I loved as a 15 year old:

There are pools that do not reflect the sky,
There are stars that are not diamonds,
There are sunsets that do not inflame the imagination,
But there is no look deep into your eyes
That does not make my heart beat faster
And my breath come quicker.

There are drinks that do not quench thirst,
There are meals that are not feasts,
There is sleep that does not refresh,
But there is no embracing you,
no touch from you that does not fill my heart with love,
my soul with peace.

There are songs that strike no responsive chord,
There are poems with images that fail,
There are love stories whose partners find no counter part in us,
But there is no “all-surrounding,” “lost without you,” LOVE in all the world for me
. . .but yours.

As an adult I am not in love with that poem as I was as a teenager that never knew what love was. I am not really a poetic person and this is a bit corny for me today. BUT there is an underlying truth to it that I feel with Ben. He can still bring feelings out of me 10 years later that no one will ever do. He still brings me laughter and fills my heart with love and peace. I still love when he holds my hand or looks at me with his blue eyes.

I have had a pretty great 10 years with Ben. Here is to 60 more!

I love you babe!

Kindle Frustration

2010-08-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

So I have moved on to trying to download MP3 songs to play in the background of my kindle. I thought it would be easy. We have bought lots of songs on itunes and I thought I would just move them over. Wrong. They are not in the right format. So I thought hey, I will put the old fashioned CD in the computer and move those over. Wrong. They are not in the right format. I bought one song off of amazon but I don't want to buy more and I certainly do not want to listen to that one song over and over again as I read. So I am back to square one. No background music.

What do I do? Any experts out there? I need songs in MP3 format, not M4A or WMA, or whatever.

And I cannot wait to take this kindle to the beach with me on my girl weekend. No paper books getting sand blown into every page making the book twice its normal size.

popcorn recipe and girlfriends

2010-08-02T19:10:00.001-07:00

I get to go away with some of my bestest girl-friends.
Friends that know me really well.
Friends who have seen me at my VERY worst moments and have been with me for my very best.
I love these girls.

I have to wait two weeks. I get to go away with them in two weeks for an overnighter. I am beside myself with excitement. Cannot wait until I see them. And shop with them. And eat with them. And of course laugh my head off with them.

This post is actually brought on by my thinking about what snack I want to bring. I decided on peanut butter popcorn and went looking for the recipe. Almost didn't find it so I decided to add the recipe here on my blog so I can have access to it at anytime! This recipe was used when my youth group would get together and one of the moms would make it. I love it.

Peanut-butter Popcorn recipe

4 quarts popped corn
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ cups light corn syrup
1 ½ cup peanut butter
1 ½ tsp vanilla

Add sugar and syrup together in pan and bring to full boil. Stir for 30 seconds stirring constantly. Remove from heat and beat in peanut butter and vanilla. Pour over popcorn.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

No eating Out!

2010-07-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

We are not eating out this month, our month runs 7/10-8/10. It was kind of a dare to see if we could do it. It is usually hard but when we all agreed to it it became easier. Usually I like to call Ben when I can't think of anything to make, or don't have the right foods to throw together, and have him grab something. And usually we eat out 1-2 times a weekend. Not expensive dinners but they all add up. Now I am having to be responsible and think through every dinner before dinner time. :) I am actually enjoying it a bit. We will be going on small beach vacation during this time period and of course no eating out. So I have been making and freezing food so we won't eat out but I won't waste my vacation away cooking and cleaning. So far I have frozen lasagna, chicken enchiladas, quiche, and twice baked potatoes. I will make frozen fruit salad later today and hopefully get to making some homemade bread and cinnamon rolls this week. And while I was at it I made a lasagna and twice baked potatoes for some other time. I love having frozen food put away in the freezer. It makes me happy.

Do you guys have foods you like to freeze for later?

Drum Roll Please

2010-07-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

So The contest is now over. I was surprised that two of my friends who I know read never posted but they are probably enjoying summer and not checking my blog.

So here is a list of what everyone thinks should be read. I agree with many of you as I have read about half of the suggestions and now will be looking at picking up others.

1. Karrie-Sam’s Letter to Jennifer, 19 Minutes
2.Chrissy- The Help, The Forgotten Beast of Eld, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the Passion
3. Donna- Every Woman’s Battle, Safely Home, The Choice, The Love Languages of God
4. Amy Wood- Gospel Primer, Dug Down Deep, Gospel Power Parenting
5. Martha- Safely Home
6. Sarah (Smiles)- Shepherding a Childs Heart, Don’t Make Me Count To Three
7. Sarah Arnold- The Help, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, The Seven Miracles that Saved America
8. Candi- Terri Blackstock books
9. Rachel- Bringing Up Boys
10. DG- The Help
11. Alyssa-Dear John

Donna and Alyssa, I love Nicholas Sparks books, have read them all. I think The Choice was one of his best and I just watched the Dear John movie last night.
Chrissy, DG, and Sarah A., I have just had The Help added to my Kindle. I had it on my wish list at paperbackswap for about 6 months but it is taking too long to get it. Can't wait to read it.

Thank you all for entering. Now for the winner. I entered the numbers 1-11 into random.org and out came #4. So that would be. . . . Amy Wood. Amy I will be sending that gift card to you in the next week. I am not sure how soon I will read your books though. They are not easy reads. :) haha

Starbucks Gift Card contest

2010-07-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day to enter to win a $10.00 Starbucks Gift Card. Just add a book you think I should read to this post or the one down below that I first mentioned the contest in. You can enter once. I need some more ideas do keep them coming.