Feeling Better!

It's been a rough couple days at our house...I've had a cold and so has the little brown girl....now, Daddy has it!!  I think we're on the mend and yesterday I was able to leave the house for hair appointment and errands!  Hoooorrrraaayyy!  Fresh air and sunshine made it WONDERFUL.  We also got a new camera and I wanted to share some of my new favorite pictures.  Boy, does it make a difference.  Halle and I were tracing our hands yesterday and passing the time!!

Catch Up!

This is going to be my attempt at trying to catch up!  Sheesh...this blog is sadly neglected.  I guess that's because I'm a busy working Mom of this busy, silly toddler.  I'm sure you would have never guessed this by looking at the above picture.  HEHE!  That's a doll bed that my Great Grandpa made.  Hal thinks she fits.  Trust me...she definitely keeps us RUNNING!!  I certainly should weigh a heck of a lot less than I do.  We have been busy, busy, busy since January.  Busy playing with play-dough, coloring, playing in Hal's kitchen...helping Grammie get her house ready to put on the market, folding laundry, bowling with family, holding Demarle at Home Parties (that's me!), trying to potty-train, working a few hours from home so I don't have to go in so early, getting root canals and subsequent crowns....starting Weight Watchers and losing 11 pounds so far, trying out new recipes, attending Women's Bible Study and just being a family!!  My house is usually a wreck, the dryer is most definitely ALWAYS going and I always have a full laundry basket with clean clothes waiting to be folded.  But, every night when I go to bed and kiss this little girl good night..it's all worth it.  Can someone please remind me of that the next time I burst into tears after cleaning up a small flood in the bathroom during her bath??

New LOOK!!

Again, this blog has a long over due new look.  I have wanted for so long to make my own banner and make this blog a little spiffier...is that a word?  Well...it is now...it's an April word...so too bad!  I didn't know how to do and we don't have Photoshop or the money to purchase it.  So...I found a tutorial that helped me out....AND I downloaded the FREE Picasa software.  GENIUS!! AND...so very easy!!

VeggieTales "Sweetpea Beauty"

Can I just tell you how excited I am about this new VeggieTales??? It's called Sweetpea Beauty...and you can find it at your local Family Christian Store, Target (for $9.99...I saw it yesterday) or right here!  Nichole Nordeman sings this song for the movie and I just CAN NOT wait to get this for our little girl!!

Sad...so sad & mind boggling....

So the other day...well, actually, I think it was more like a month or so ago...I was eating lunch in our miniscule lunch room at work. I usually eat lunch at the same time and so, the same gals usually join me. I love to read....I so love to read...and I don't get much time to do that anymore with the little brown girl at home. So, I take my book with me to work, but...it's hard to really get "into" a book while others are with you...and I think it's kind rude sometimes too, especially since we sit at ONE table in our miniscule little room. Anyhoo...so, this day I was casually flipping through a Good Housekeeping magazine that someone had left there. I notice that Michelle Obama is on the cover...not my favorite lady, so...I press on. Did I mention, this is the "Collector's Edition" 125th Anniversary Issue?? OH MY! When I got to thinking about that it was quite impressive that this magazine has been around for that long. The cover of the magazine also boasts this, "125 Women who changed our lives". Hmmm....got me interested. I flip through and find the article....I see pictures of important and not so important ones (at least to me). Here is what Good Housekeeping had to say:

Some made music, some made noise, all made a difference. We celebrate 125 women who during the past 125 years, broke records, broke ground, blazed trails, and suffered trials, shattering ceilings of glass and even tougher stuff. While some are obvious choices and some obscure, all acted to increase our liberty, safety, and prosperity. One of them makes the best lemon meringue pie ever. We honor these matron saints whose work continues to bring pleasure, save lives and widen the scope of little girls' dreams.

-The Editors

I'm sure I now have all of you on pins and needles...right? Because I don't want to name all of 125...here's the top five....

• 1. Oprah Winfrey -- Queen of all Media
• 2. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- Secretary of State, Former First Lady, Former US Senator
• 3. Mother Teresa -- Missionaries of Charity Founder
• 4. Rosa Parks -- Civil Rights Activist
• 5. Eleanor Roosevelt -- First Lady, US Delegate to the UN, Human Rights Activist

I was disturbed and saddened...that Oprah & Hillary Rodham Clinton made the list before Rosa Parks. They considered Oprah a "Matron Saint"....WOW! Guess who number six was?? That's right...Michelle Obama...followed by Amelia Earhart as number seven. Do I want my daughter, who is a little girl with BIG dreams, to look up to most of these women?? Ummm....that would be a big, fat NO! I know I run the risk of offending some of you....and, I'm sorry, but...how about some other women instead? Like Mary, the Mother of Jesus....yes, Rosa Parks, maybe Mother Teresa...but, other's cross my mind. Like my friend Kristi who owns an eye clinic with her husband (both are eye doctor's) and loves Jesus with all her heart, or my friend Jessica who is an amazing Mama to four ALMOST five kiddo's....Halle's Great Grandma Rose who raised four children on her own after her husband died...and she took care of the farm AND worked! Now, Good Housekeeping...don't you think this would be a better choice? I do....It is up to ME and Halle's Daddy to instill dreams in our daughter. BUT, more importantly, to reassure her that with Jesus...all her dreams are possible! She may have hard times, but...following HIM is so much better than all these women have "achieved"!

It's official....

Our house is a MESS...most of the time. Hal does such a super duper job of placing her mark on EVERYTHING in our house. I can seriously say that I never seem to have this place looking the way I would like it to. AND...I'm learning to live with that....like it or not! Dancing with my sweet girl, reading books and snuggling has taken top priority. Let's just take a look at what this place may look like on any given day......

Yes, Hal LOVES stickers...these are my garage sale stickers...they have been put to good use!! And more importantly, it keeps her busy and occupied!

We have quite the collection of books in LOTS of places....

My counter...SHEESH...this bothers me the most! Don't worry all the counter space is not taken up!! Things just seem to take up residence here.

More toys...in Hal's area...

This sweet, sleeping brown girl...seriously how does she do this?? She looks so cute and innocent...not so people, not so. She is full of life and SO much ENERGY!

What's Happening at our House??

Lots and lots of things.....we are VERY busy right now. Busy making messes, building towers, reading books, wiping snotty noses, snuggling a sweet little brown girl with allergies, gearing up for Relay for Life....praising Jesus for our new baby nephew who will be born in December (Hooooooraaayyyy to Auntie Leah & Uncle Eddie...we can't WAIT to see this little guy!!)....eating DELICIOUS fresh strawberries....dancing to our Sesame Street "Trash" song....learning from Elmo about the "POTTY".....wearing yellow striped Baby Legs with a so cute flower nightie to bed...using our toothbrush....stealing Mommy's iced coffee in the morning (thank goodness she didn't like it...PHEW!)...and last but, certainly not least....wearing a toy bucket on our heads!!!

Birthdays...

It was my birthday yesterday. I turned 35....that number doesn't really bother me. I don't feel like I'm that age but, I was crabby yesterday. It didn't feel like my birthday.....I missed my Dad and some family friends that have had one death after another in their family were losing yet someone else. I also didn't want to be at work. Well....not at 6am anyway....Aaron and I had gone out on Saturday night for our birthday's...his is April 5. I was so excited to be out with my husband, but...our plan to eat at "The Olive Garden" was thwarted by a long wait...thirty minutes was too much for us and it was already 6:30pm. We ended up at "Red Robin" instead...I love that place, but...it wasn't what I had in mind. I tried to be happy, happy, happy yesterday, but...it just wasn't happening and frankly, I wasn't turning 3 or something....I'm an adult, right? I'm struggling a bit with these feelings. I'm very thankful God gave me this birthday...and that I get to spend it with my family. BUT...birthdays were always a HUGE thing growing up at home. Birthdays for my husband were NOT a huge thing. So, where do you draw the line, where do you compromise? It is important for me to note that I did receive a BEAUTIFUL large bouquet of flowers from my husband the day before my birthday, he got me (well, kinda us) a Kitchen-Aid Food Processor and yesterday he brought me my new favorite scent from Victoria's Secret "Coconut Passion"...shower gel and lotion...ahhh nice! Just some food for thought...and something I need to work through.....any ideas??

Home Sweet Home

We got home on Sunday after being gone for TEN days...that's A LOT...especially with an almost 11 month old daughter who is ALWAYS on the go. So, I've been thinking about our home and what I appreciate about it.....here's my list in no particular order:

Two-ply Charmin toilet paper

Two bathrooms

The yummy smell of candles burning....

We each have our own bedroom & separate living areas

My fridge is there whenever I need it

The washing machine and dryer...they have been used A LOT over the last three days

Our computer

The cozy, at home feeling I get here

The paint colors we've chosen.....

My husband and daughter being here with me...

OH...it's so GOOD to be home....now if we just lived a little closer to where we really want to be! Patience is a virtue....

Happenings at our house....

Let's see...what's going on in our house...right now Halle is sleeping...HOORAAYYY!  This afternoon we have our VERY LAST home visit with our social worker.  After May 21, 2009 Halle's adoption can be finalized....WAHOO!!  We need to meet with a lawyer for some paperwork and then have it finalized at the courthouse.  YIPPEEEEE!!  Can you tell we're a little excited??  Then...watch here for our amazing Texas adoption journey with PICTURES!  That's right...you'll get to see our beautiful little girl you've heard so much about.  Miss Halle is 7 months old and still a little peanut.  She weighs 14lbs 10oz and is 27 1/4" long.  Still long and lean.  She is crawling all over the place and starting to get into everything.  She has her two bottom teeth and is really working on the top ones.  We don't think it will be long now.  She LOVES solid food.  Forget that silly old bottle.  In fact, the Doctor told us today to feed her anything she wants, well, within reason, no honey, shellfish, eggwhites...you Mom's know the drill.  She says "baabaabaabaa" all the time...Daddy's working with her to change it to "dadadadada" and "mamamama".  We'll see how that goes.  We are looking forward to a few things coming up:

-- Miss Ellie's birth, hopefully, for Dena's sake sooner rather than later.

-- Colby's graduation (we can not believe this kid is old enough to be graduating...sheesh)

-- Camping with the TenKley's & Miss Kristin

-- A visit from Grammies friend

-- The 4th of July (Halle has a really fun sundress to wear)

-- Auntie Heather & Uncles Shaun's wedding in Montana...hopefully, a visit with the Hochhalter's

-- Camping with Mor Mor, Bopa, the Dunn's and Dena's Nana & Papa 

I went through the summer...hopefully, the warmer weather will come soon...Halle has some fun stuff to wear and I'm getting really tired of this rain!!!

Black History Month

February was Black History month.  As I was scrolling through our channel guide I became interested in two movies on Lifetime in honor of this month.  I'm usually careful of movies on this channel.  They are sometimes really silly and fluffy and sometimes not very clean!! But...these two looked very good.  And...with a daughter who is black I am trying to educate myself.  The first movie was about a young black girl about 18 or so....who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Her boyfriend was in a gang and shot someone only to hand her the gun and take off running.  She ended up in a youth detention center for "loving her man".  The movie was about the track team they formed from young girls in the detention center.  The team was mixed...whites, blacks, hispanics...they had to learn to put their hate aside and work together as a team.  I thought of a class we had taken before adopting Halle.  How people will judge your children by their race....if they're black they could end up like this girl, maybe be good at sports, have rhythm and so on.  This girl was judged because of her race. Her story was portrayed well and I highly recommend that movie.  Though, I can't remember the name of it now!  Sorry!  The other movie I watched was "America".  Rose O'Donnell was in this one.  And I remember the name, phew!  America was a black teen who had been in foster care for most of his life.  His mother left him and his two brothers when they were probably 5-9 yrs old!  They were separated from each other and sent to separate foster homes, America was sexually abused, drank alcohol and was a VERY confused boy!  He ended up in a group home type of place where Rosie O'Donnell was the counselor, after he had attempted suicide.  I'm glad to say his story had a happy ending.  But, all of this made me think...of Halle.  She was rescued from all of this because her birth mom chose adoption for her.  This isn't to say she might not have hard times...don't we all?  Aaron and I will do our very best to raise her without that fear she may have.  We will be there for her and, most importantly, so will our Jesus!  He is the rock that sees us through......I encourage you to watch some of these movies and maybe get just a glimpse into other races.....it will getting you thinking...it will encourage you...and maybe, you'll want to help others!!!  

Fun with the O's

So....I work three days a week...Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.  Let me tell you...on those nights I NEVER know what to cook for dinner..nor do I have the time.  So...I turned to my friend Jess...she has four little kiddos, Jake is almost 9, Savannah is 7 the twins, Honor & Justice are 6 months.  She's a busy lady and I commend her...not only does she stay home with her kids she also home-schools Jake & Savannah.  PLUS...she's always has such yummy meals!!  Halle and I went to visit and eat lunch with them on Wednesday.  We enjoyed hanging out with all of them, exchanged some good crock pot recipes and Jess let me look through this cookbook.  I am so buying it and this one too!! Halle had fun with the boys and Jake & Savannah gave her lots of love and attention!!  Just had to share this photo of Halle and her new best bud, Justice.  They were holding hands while lying together on the floor!  Seriously, this makes a Mommy's heart happy!!!

So much laundry....so little time!!!

ENOUGH SAID!!!

Frogs???

Do you see this?  Something just like this is living RIGHT UNDER our bedroom window!  SO...each night when we go to bed...we hear this big guy calling out to his little lady or maybe it's ladies.  We aren't certain about that!  SHEEESHHH!!!  What we have folks, in Aaron's words, is a bunch of horny toads.  They are so loud on Saturday night they even woke Aaron and I from a sound sleep.  Trust me, that takes a lot. Well...I know that some of you will think we're crazy, but we are still sleeping with our bedroom window cracked.  Really, in all honesty, it's kinda fun to spend the night with the frogs!

Open House Saturday

My friend Stacy does this from time to time and think it's so fun....so, here's what's going on this Saturday.

I'm thankful for....my husband...our small group, they are amazing...my sweet Jesus.  AND the opportunity to spend time with my nieces and nephews and their parent's last night at the Harvest Carnival.  

I'm listening to...a random mixed MP3 disc in our living room...in the background I hear what sounds like a million little birdies.  I think they've found the bird feeder we put out this morning.  HOORAAAYYY!!!

In the oven...Oatmeal Scotchies.  Requested by my dear husband.  I'm bringing some to the boys working on Dan & Lisa's new house.

What's for dinner tonight....Turkey meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes & green salad.  Good comfort food for this first day of November. 

What I'm looking forward to...church tomorrow, we begin a new sermon series "Hope and Help for Hard times - Finding peace and joy in your pains, problems and pressures" I know I can always use a good reminder for this!  AND...most of all lots of time with Aaron tomorrow.  A lazy Sunday is what we are both craving!!!

What's happening this week....Leah's "At Home America" party, Bunco, Small Group & a shower for my sweet friend Sarah, her husband Todd & their two kiddos, Joshua & Katherine. 

I'm feeling a little under the weather....I think I need to take some Airborne...I certainly don't want the nasty cold that is going around.  I'm so glad to be spending a WHOLE Saturday at home....this is the life!!!! 

On my way to work....

I was driving my usual route to work one day this week...nope, I didn't get pulled over.  But, I did see this sign on a church billboard:

NOW OPEN EASTER THROUGH CHRISTMAS!

I chuckled but, then thought...how true this is.  We need to get others to church on more than just Easter and Christmas....

On friday

Today is friday.  Can I just say I am so thankful that God gave us weekends.  I'm feeling sooooooooo  busy and worn out!  I really need this weekend to recharge.  I would also like to speak about my lack of posts.  Folks, the last sentence says it all.  I sat down last night to do some posting and I don't think the garlic french fries I had from my favorite store "Trader Joes" agreed with me.  So...no post!  It's was ginger peach tea and the couch for me!!  This post is kinda random....I'm hoping to get some posting in this weekend.  Now, I know it says I have only NINE followers...come on, where's the love??  I think I honestly have more than that!!  AND...lastly, if you remember would you pray for our adoption.  I'm becoming weary.....I know it's only been 7 weeks since we've been approved, but...the agency made it seem like it would be a lot faster than this.  Please pray we will be able to welcome our baby into our family by the end of the year!!!

Honesty...still the best policy!

Well...today is Monday.  Monday is NOT my favorite day of the week.  But...this Monday was going to be ok...I went shopping yesterday with my Mom and got some cute stuff...I was excited to wear a cute new dress to work today with my fun red shoes.  So...I set off...I was late only about 5 minutes, but...still late.  I live way out in the boonies so I take a back route to Bellingham which usually gets me there faster.  Well....I was taking my usual route and see another vehicle coming at me...flashing his lights.  We all know what that means...a member of law enforcement is up ahead just waiting for an unsuspecting person who is late to work on Monday in her new cute black dress with her fun red shoes!  YEP....I slowed down, but...not soon enough.  Just as I thought I had made it around the corner his lights turned on.  I pulled over and grabbed my EXPIRED insurance card.  Only three days mind you...I had just looked at those cards last night and told Aaron we needed to put them in the vehicles...sheesh!  Our conversation went like this.  Officer: Good morning...are you late for work?  Me: Yes, now I'll be even later.  Officer:  Not necessarily.  Could I see your license and proof of insurance.  Me:  My insurance card is expired...I reminded my husband last night we needed to put these in our cars.  Officer:  It's only three days.  You were speeding...  Me:  I know  Officer:  You were going 15 miles over the speed limit.  That's above my thresh hold for giving a ticket.  But today is your day.  Because you were so honest.  I'm not writing you a ticket!  Slow down and have a good day!  Me:  Thank you so much!  I really appreciate this...and I will slow down!   Praise you Jesus for your favor....I really did not need a ticket today....and trust me, I have slowed down.  I will be getting up earlier so I don't have to speed.........good grief!!!  OH...and the insurance card is in my purse and will be in my car tomorrow morning.

Hooray for FALL!!!

Ok, some of you may think I'm crazy, but...I do love FALL!!!  That being said I had to change by background!  AND...I found an even better site for free backgrounds...I LOVE this gals designs...she is RIGHT up my alley!  The format is wider...I think I can make my pictures bigger!!  So...visit her site.  I will most definitely be going back there...in fact, I have my next background already picked out!  Now I'll leave you with some of my favorite things about fall, not in any particular order.

the leaves changing color...

cool crisp mornings with dew on the grass....

pumpkin spiced lattes from Starbucks...

let's hear it for sweatshirts and long pants...

volleyball season...

fall line-up...

hot apple cider....with caramel...

pumpkins...

all things gloriously fall at Fairway Country Furnishings...

snuggling on the couch....

reading a good book with a cup a tea while it rains outside....

What in the world??

Ok...so this is really strange for the last 1 1/2 hours I have heard this random guitar strumming.  Not my husband mind you.  I thought it was coming from the apartments behind us.  I'm still hearing this guitar music so I venture outside and it's coming from our upstairs neighbors.  They are noisy enough as it is...and now this?  OH MY!  I wish Aaron was home to hear this!  Honey...you are welcome to jam as loud as you want!  And....you're better than whoever is upstairs...and I don't think it's Guitar Hero!