This is Madison's dress rehearsal a week ago in preparation for the big shows this weekend. It's a tear jerker. I have watched her practice and learn this dance since last October and I have to tell you, I never get tired of watching it and it always brings tears to my eyes. She just looks so grown up and is really turning into a dancer. I just had to share it with you. It's my amateur video taping and since it was dress rehearsal, there is no background up, no smoke effects and you hear her teacher at the end. But nonetheless, it's a special song with special meaning. By the way, the older dancer that comes out is dancing with her dad.

Enjoy...

spring turkey hunting 2009

cost of tags: $75.00

ammunition: $100.00

camouflage pants: $30.00

packed lunches: $15.00

being in the wilderness with my most favorite boys: priceless

spring turkey hunt 2009 tally:

brody: 1

mom: 0

dad: 0

brody loves that tally!!

Here's the question of the day...

If Brett Favre really goes to Minnesota to play for the Vikings, does that mean Seth and I will have to cheer for him which technically would go against our Packer rivalry for all these years and will Brody kind of cheer him on because his autograph is in his room but yet won't because he's a viking and not a packer?!

Oh the confusion. vikings...packers...vikings...packers...personally I think the guy should find another job so our lives will be easier during football season!

another athleta magazine in the mail today...i may have started something here. a new magazine a week, just to tempt me. maybe it was the number of items from the first order?! now those athleta marketing people have me on their list, thinking they'll get me to order everytime.

bad thing is, they're probably right. pretty smart marketing move!

this is the time of year where we have a practice, rehearsal, game, dancing for the old people...it's something every night. so, i am squeezing in a quick post to let you know i am still here. exciting news to share:

brody and i ran in a 5K this last Saturday, his first one. it was such a great time doing a race with him. we started together, and i didn't see him again until i was at the turn around point. i finished and waited for him at the finish line. finally, he came around the corner. i cheered him on til he crossed the line. he was so proud, ran the entire race without stopping. he ended up medaling in his age group...30:02. and i ended up medaling for 1st in female overall, 23:16. honestly, that was one of the best races i have run. it was cool being the first girl to come in, with 3 guys ahead of me. i think having him there was my inspiration. brody's ready for another one. i think i may have created another race fanatic.

:)

Alright...who went and put me on the mailing list to Athleta? I've never gotten the magazine before but it came today, tempting me with almost everything in it!!!

It's been a long week. Finally, Easter break has begun. The holiday has a bit of a damper this year...our church and preschool burned Saturday. It's pretty much a total loss. I've been spending the last 3 days helping along with numerous friends in helping to relocate the school. It's so sad. Everything is just gone. But with generous donations, things are going to keep rolling for the preschool. And for the 85 kids that go there. We've been cleaning the building someone has let us use but it's been vacant for a year. Lots of cleaning and repainting. And redoing everything. So we found out yesterday that someone started this fire on purpose. On purpose. Someone is out there thinking it's funny to burn down a place where kids and families spend a great part of their life. My kids are sad. Brody doesn't want the church to change at all when they rebuild. Madison cried.

But there are signs of hope. Like the eternity candle that never extinguished. The kids' artwork that covered the hallways is curled and black, but still hanging on the wall. So Easter will be different this year. But not forgotten. Just more appreciated. They're going gut the church and rebuild it. It will be months before we're back. But all 1200 of us families will be back. I just hope they catch the people that did this. And soon.

So I went to get the oil changed in the ol' jeepster and the guy started telling me afterwards that there's a bit of corrosion starting on the battery. "nothing major," he says, "just put a little baking soda on it or a can of Coke will eat 'er up in seconds."

I gulped.

I drink a Coke everyday. Have been for as long as can remember. I couldn't help but think, "omg, what do you think it's doing to my insides then? how can something I live for everyday dissolve something as gross as corrosion on a car battery? That can't be good."

The thought crossed my mind that maybe I should change my habit. That thought lasted a mili-second. I figured, maybe that's why I never get stomach aches...the Coke is kicking all the icky stuff away!! I'm not giving it up. Not yet anyway. It's my one little treat everyday. Remember I experience a minor anxiety attack if there just happens to be no Coke in the fridge, which isn't often.

So I went to the pop machine, got my 50-cent ice cold Coke, went home and enjoyed every drop.

Corrosion, schmosion...

Today was an amazing day. In more ways than i can probably express. For one, we had no school. Even though the forecasted blizzard didn't come, I sure loved being home with the kids without having to be somewhere by this time, get picked up by this time, etc. Snow days are an an excuse to HAVE to stay home and inside. Honestly, I think one day like that can only happen every once in awhile or we all may go a little stir crazy. But by the looks of things, school will be on again tomorrow and we'll be back to the regualr schedule. I'm scheduled to run another 5K this Sat. in Vermillion but another round of snow may be heading our way so we will see. We'll see if I hit my personal goal of winning my age group.

So you may be asking why this was such an amazing day. It's because I finally let go of a burden that has been on my heart for quite some time. I've prayed faithfully about this stronghold, asking for strength and courage to overcome it. Over the last few weeks, I've noticed signs of how to finally let it go. From people in everyday conversation talking about how God forgave a prostitute in the bible. I remember Beth Moore talking about strongholds in one of her studies. That started the transformation but it seemed to always be there, hovering around. He forgives even the worst people if they ask. I realized I need to be like that. Can you imagine what he goes through everyday? Listening to people doubt him, talk about him, sinning, even going against him. And what does he do? He forgives. I know we are supposed to be like God, we can't be him by any means, but we can strive to be like him. After months and months of this stronghold on me, it was released. I knew it because I recognized it. I knew why I've been in the right place at the right time to hear I've heard. It made me think, it opened my eyes. Once again, prayers were answered in HIS time. He knew it would happen, it just had to be in his time. There is nothing better than to forgive.

So that was my day. I feel light. I feel un-jumbled (refer to previous post). I wish I could find the bible verse to go along with this. I know there is one.

I feel like such a loser! I mean, here all my faithful blog girls keep up with their posts and I'm just plain behind. I seem to have lost the touch for writing on this thing, just can't seem to nail down one thing to blog about. I love reading yours, they all seem to have such meaning, such inspiration. I especially love how you can pull these awesome verses out of the bible and right them down and really think about the meaning. I have never been able to do that. I wish I could associate life...things...with bible verses. Maybe some things would make more sense to me.

I love the posts I've been catching up on. It makes me happy to hear about everyone's happiness, new hairdos which by the way are beautiful, new house in a new town, killer lasagna, kids, families and a newfound album. I need to regroup and get my thoughts out of my head and in a post. Everything right now is in a jumble. Is there a bible verse for that?? I would love to know!

We did it. The final tally from the 2008 Mile-A-Day Challenge. 12 of us completed it. Pictured is 6 of us, celebrating with beer and food. And it was a challenge. But fun for the most part. Except for those days when you're running in the dark so you can get your mile in. Or those days when it's raining...or snowing...or the dreaded "dreadmill" is just the last thing you want to jump on to. So far 2009 is starting off great, no mulligans yet. So we'll see if my stamina keeps up for yet another year. I've got a loooonnnnggg way to go!!

Here is the chair. The chair that was almost thrown away. The chair that I knew had potential. And thanks to you, the chair has new life. Everyone who has come over for pictures has said what an awesome chair it is. Funny how we come across something we weren't even looking for and made a whole new use for it. I love that part the most about this find. I'm looking forward to all the many little kids who get to sit on this chair. I think the chair is looking forward to that too!!

NO SCHOOL TODAY!

It was such a beautiful day, I managed to talk the kiddos into posing for some pictures. They kind of complain at first, but after we start shooting, they really get into it. My favorite is the bottom one. I tried to be, well, creative. Just wanted to share these with ya. Hope you're having a great week!

I need help! Especially from all of you vintage experts. Our youth group at church is redoing their youth room and this chair was going to go in the dumpster. I saw it and thought it might make a really great photo prop. The fabric is from the 70's and my husband thinks it's ugly. But it spins, sits low on the floor and I think it would make a great chair for children. What do you think??? I need to know. Honestly. Should I leave it? Should I recover it? Should I go with the original plan and throw it away? Is it just plain ugly? My gut tells me it has potential. Just give it to me straight...and soon. I have some appointments this week!

I've gotta do it...I've gotta ask...why does there always seem to be a wet towel laying on the floor in the bathroom? With 3 kids taking showers nowadays, damp towels are a daily thing. But why do they end up on the floor?

We have 2 bathrooms, each with a shower. "My" bathroom is upstairs which seems to be the favorite with the kids. So, hubby gets the bathroom downstairs essentially all to himself. I always say in my perkiest voice, "Hey, why don't you guys use the bathroom downstairs?" Response? "No, it's too dark" "Ewwww, that's daddy's bathroom" "All my stuff is up here" Alas, I get to deal with the towels and the water that somehow makes it way outside of the tub. I've asked, I've blackmailed, I've demanded that all towels need to be hung up or else! But they somehow manage to fall back on the floor. Must be that little invisible man that does it, according to the kiddos.

Um, yes, this is a pet peeve of mine. No more being a softy. I mean business this time! Maybe I should putting up a sign...

Cupid made a stop at our house...and he did good. Real good.

Last night went out for a steak supper, ate forever, made a pit stop at this quaint, sophisticated bar downtown, had drinks and dessert, came home and watched a movie. It was a perfect valentines day with my valentine.

Hope yours was full of love!

Thanks to Susan, I decided I better get back to blogland too. For what is supposed to be my slow time of year, things seem to be pretty steady. Brody finished up basketball which frees up a bit more time. Although whenever his last game rolls around, it bums me out. I love going to the games, watching him play, cheering on his team. But now we will wait for track. And soccer. and I'll be cheering again. I ran a race a couple of weekends ago, hence the photos attached. It wasn't as cold as it appears even though it's called the Frostbite Four. Last year I was registered but it was 20 degrees below zero. I opted to stay home. This year, it was 35 degrees and beautiful. Only problem...my ipod died only a few minutes after the race began. Note to self: Charge ipod before races no matter what. I messed with it, hoping for a miraculous charge. No luck. So I gave up and tried to focus my attention elsewhere. The race had an impressive turnout...about 400...for such a small town event. It was fun and a nice getaway from doing taxes, getting out picture appointments, making sure everyone is where they need to be, etc.

So life is good. And I'm seriously glad I've had your blogs to catch up on while I try and figure out what to write on mine. Welcome back to blogland.

I am addicted to facebook. When Carey first asked me to her friend, I honestly didn't get it. Of course I wanted to be her friend so I accepted and it's all been downhill from there. It's been amazing to be reconnected with people I graduated with coming up on 20 years ago. Some of those friends I have known all my life. I think it's realizing how small the world really is. Kind of makes you feel safe and content knowing you have so many friends in your world that you thought you'd never see again.

But, last week I got a few of those "you've been tagged in a photo" comments. When I clicked on the photos, I almost died. Um, these are pictures from cheerleading days when my hair was huge and kind of blondish-orangish color. So I realized these pictures could turn up at any time for everyone to see and comment on. And they're in my facebook albums. But I never put them there. Oh yeah, someone else did. ugh. I'm kind of scared! I wonder who will tag another crazy hair photo? It's out of my control I guess. I will just have to hope and pray no photos turn up that I would rather have in the confines of my high school photo album for my eyes only.

Either way, I love this facebook thing. Big hair or no big hair.

I don't know what it is about being in church that makes me want to cry. I don't know if it's watching my son diligently taking sermon notes, soaking in the words. Or maybe it's listening to my girls sing their little hearts out on songs they know, even if they're off key. Or maybe it's seeing a guy with a pink mohawk sitting in a pew all by himself, worshipping God because God doesn't care what you look like. Or maybe it's just God revealing himself.

I don't know what it is but if I think about too much while I'm sitting in church, the tears would stream down. It's kind of strange. Or maybe not. All I know is, Sunday mornings sure have more meaning now than they ever did before.

And that's a good thing.