The snow is pretty but...

a year a go we were in Maui. I think I would rather be there.

More Pictures

Snow Day

We enjoyed a day off today with a foot of snow. The kids had fun playing in the snow, sledding and building tunnels. They also made snow cones with snow. The dog even likes the snow!
Enjoy our beatiful trees, the roads aren't quite as pretty.

quotes

I ran across these quotes from Thomas Jefferson. I thought Shelley would appreciate these from history.

enjoy.

"When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe ."
Thomas Jefferson

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
Thomas Jefferson


joe

Three about me

I stole this from Steve Gall, if I knew how to do the linky thing I would do it. Amy has tried to teach me- I know I 'm lame.--Tia

Three jobs I have had: Office worker- D and H painting- I was later questioned by FBI for involvement in drug money laundering- obviously I had nothing to do with it!
Nanny- got to go to Bahamas with the family
Oncology nurse at EGH
Three movies I would watch over and over: Its a wonderful Life, Parenthood, Elf
Three shows I watch: The Office, I love Lucy reruns, Biggest Loser
Three Places I have Been: Maui, Belize, Niagara Falls
Three of my Favorite Foods: Pizza, Brownies, warm bread
Three places I would rather be right now: On a date with my husband, someplace sunny, someplace warm
Three things I am looking forward to this summer: being done with Stat, summer fun activities, playing with the kids

New verse, new comments

I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

How encouraging is this verse to you? Well to me, 2 things stand out.
1. All of my temptations are not unique to me. No matter how Satan may try to make me feel. Men throughout time have overcome the same temptations I feel. I am not alone. That is encouraging.

2. Escape clause. That is how I see the last part of the verse. He gives me a way out. Now I just need His courage and discernment to see it and follow. This is also very encouraging.

joe

Monday Menus

Monday- MLK day No school and my MD is on vacation so I am off too. I get to cook!
Pork tenderloin in the crock pot-All recipes recipe, mashed potatoes, green beans
Tuesday- Sausages, bread, salad, strawberries
Wednesday- steak bites(pioneer woman blog), salad, cauliflower, bread
Thursday- Joe is out of town- Chicken noodle casserole, homemade applesauce. My friend Cheryl Stichter(Robs Cousin) gave me this meal for my Christmas gift. Isn't that a great idea for a busy moms Christmas present. It was all frozen and ready for me when I needed it. Thanks friend!
Friday-Pizza
Saturday- Soup

funny

This mom is selling shovels from Home Depot!!!!

what were you all thinking??

too funny.

joe

First Day of School

Well, I am by far the oldest in the class, besides the 60 year old professor. Speaking of the prof- for those GCC attenders, he is a 60 year old version of Chris Jarvis. Tourrettes and all, he paces and closes his eyes and shoutes "umm" every 5or 6 words. I hear he is quite tough but fair. Goodee.
The book cost: $109. used-wow inflation in the past 15 years! Joe asked if it was lined in Gold!-nope.

I do think I am in over my head- the homework tonight was a lot. I did 1/3 of it and went to bed- sick. I haven't yet started it again. I keep hoping I will feel better.
I thought it was stress- a cold sore, headache, and in the bathroom a lot. I didn't feel stressed. Today, I feel sick. I just want to sleep. But- I am off to make me and Andrew some grilled cheese and strawberries for lunch. I got him a movie at the library so I can try to do my homework.

A side note: I felt too bad to actually read the mail last night and just opened it and threw the junk away. This morning, I read it and God had a nice surprise waiting for me. Our yearly escrow reconciliation statement came. Usually it means we owe more, but since our property taxes went down we get a check back. The check amount- the exact amount of my class. Coincidence, I think not! Thank you God for the vote of confidence!

Monday menus

Monday: Amy is trying a new recipe from Kraft magazine! Ham and cheese calzones, salad, pineapple
Tuesday: Chicken Parmigiana, garlic bread, green beans, cantaloupe
Wednesday: Beef stew, dinner rolls
Thursday: Pork roast, salad, cauliflower, cantaloupe
Friday: pizza
Saturday: Soup

Updates

A few updates for you.
1. We recieved a letter from our friends on Costa Rica a week ago with pictures of the project and news. It was fun to see how much has gotten done since we have been there. The weather right now is hot and muggy- doesn't sound bad. There were pictures of beautiful, colorful, parrots that were migrating South. Their Christmas traditions were fun to hear about too, way different than ours-not too much about Santa there.
A cool discovery Amy and I made at Starbucks recently was that they are now selling coffee from Costa Rica- Tres Rios to be exact. This was the location we were at. I am sure we saw these fields, since they line every mountainside. I hope it was traded fairly and helps this poor country's economy and these very poor farmers survive. The US dollar was strong when we were there, so I am sure the economy is much worse now.
The song by Lauraa Story below"Mighty to Save " brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it. I think of singing it fom memory, since they were singing it in Spanish, looking out at the beautiful mountains through the windows of their homemade church. Thank you Father for such a opportunity to Praise you! Truly a mountaintop experience.

2. As for the CUBS; I really liked Kerry Woods when he first came on with the Cubs- young energetic etc. Since he has been hurt so much I don't think he ever truly recovered, never lived up to his expectations. I was ready for him to leave last year. NOW- since they traded him- mark my words- he will leave in true Cubs fashion and have the best years of his career, maybe even win a Cy Young award!

3. Stellan is completely recovered, Keri is doing much better- the doctors got all of her tumor! PTL!

Audrey Caroline

For those of you who follow "Bring the Rain" and especially for those who have never heard of it. Go there and watch the video Angie has made for the anniversary of finding the diagnosis for her sweet daughters impending dimise. Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith, lead singer for Selah. They lost a baby last April. We all followed their journey on her blog. She is now writing a book about the whole experience. Sweet family.

Bring the kleenex.
http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

cubs update

For those of you who haven't been following the offseason moves of my beloved Cubs, here are the highlights:

1. They let Kerry Wood leave the team and sign with the Cleaveland Indians.

2. They signed Kevin Gregg who is a pitcher to be the set-up for the new closer Carlos Marmol.

3. They signed Milton Bradley, an outfielder who had a great year for the Texas Rangers last year.

4. They lost Mark Derosa to the Phillies and traded Jason Marquis.

5. They have not yet signed pitcher Jake Peavy of the Padres.

so it has actually been a pretty quiet offseason.

35 days till Pitchers and Catchers report to spring training.

joe

Back to School

It has been a whirlwind, but I have everything set and ready to go. I start taking a class on MONDAY at IU Kokomo. In order to start my Masters at IUPUI, I have to pass Statistics 301. So, here is my test. I sure hope I am up for it. Every Monday and Wednesday I will trek to Kokomo for a 1.5 hour class. I hope there are OLD people like me in there.

I am still trying to figure out a way to pass Joe off as a me for my tests- Tia seems international right? the picture may be the kicker though. Just registering online took me 3 days and about 10 phone calls, do you think the class will be much harder than that? nah.

After I talked to the help desk young college girl and explained that I was 38 and going back to school to bear with me. She said "ahh, good for you" suddenly I felt 80, or maybe 8.

Now, do you think I could talk Joe into new school clothes for me? Doubtful, especially after he sees the bill!

Prayer Request

A friend of friends of ours from the Nappanee/Wakarusa area got a tough diagnosis today. Her name is Keri Rohr, she is 9 years old and had a brain tumor removed from the base of her brainstem. It ended up being cancerous. Please pray for this family as they have rough road ahead of them. I can't even imagine as a parent the pain of having a child going through something like that. They are down here at Riley now and for a while undergoing treatment. I do know that I would want as many people storming the gates of heaven in my childs name. Visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kerirohr to learn more.

Menu Monday

Back to school means back to menus. Yes, Jill, we have eaten frozen pizza's over break :).
Monday- Amy's Day: Tuna melts, mac and cheese, Caesar salad, applesauce
Tuesday- Tandoori Chicken(new recipe), cauliflower, rice, blue cheese popovers,(new recipe)
Wednesday-Sausages, salad, sweet potato wedges, butter bread
Thursday Ann's Birthday meal: Pigs in a blanket, mac and cheese, salad, fresh fruit, Brownies
Friday: Ann's Slumber Party: Pizza, Oreo cookie dessert, veggie tray, fruit tray
Saturday: vegetable soup

funny

Rocki Stillson has a blog that my wife and I have enjoyed. Her testimony of God's grace and forgiveness is truly inspirational.

However a recent post made us both laugh hysterically.

See it here.

joe