Stringing up the lights

Well we put our tree up this Saturday and got it all decorated. This year we did a blue and white and silver tree. We have all blue and white and silver ornaments and Have blue and white lights. The lights we put on the tree this year are a different kind of light than we've used before. A friend had mentioned the LED lights to us. I had seen these in the store but didn't pick them up at the time because they are a little more expensive than the regular lights. However, after hearing from our friend, how great they were,( energy efficient, Don't give you the problems that regular lights do with burning out and causing the whole string to not light, and just being so much brighter) we decided to try them. We have come to the conclusion that WE LOVE THEM! They are just beautiful in person. A little tough to get a good picture of as you see but we do like them a lot. This first picture I took with the lights out and they are so bright that they made everything glow blue. To make the whole tree experience even more great, While we were putting it up and decorating it, we had our first snow of the season. How cool was it to be decorating the tree with the family and looking outside at the snow coming down just covering everything. Aahh the Christmas season, I just love it.

An unexpected day off.

Well I was home from work today. Jordan was up last night sick to his stomach. Sunday morning in Church he said he had a Headache and he was sick Sunday evening also. So when He woke me up at 1:30 in the morning to tell me he threw up, I wasn't really surprised. I know, I didn't even wake up on my own, how horrible of a mom is that. He had a little tub next to him to use but he pretty much missed it. Needless to say I was throwing in a load of laundry in the middle of the night to wash sheets. With all the flu stuff going around I didn't want to leave them sit. He seems to be doing better this evening, he said his head still hurt a little this afternoon but I think he's good now. By tomorrow after a good nights sleep, he should be good as new.

Home Sweet Home

Well the boys are back from CA. they got home around 2am this morning. They (needless to say) are still in bed at 9am. They probably will be for a while. Now the fun part of trying to get them back on East Coast time. I had included this day in with the days requested off from school for the trip. I figured they'd need a day to recoup and make sure school work is accurately done etc. before going back. Ken picked my parents and the boys up from the airport. I had to stay home because there wouldn't have been enough room for us all in the car on the way back. The boys came bouncing in the house all wide awake and stuff, talking a mile a minute. It was so good to see them. After hugs hugs and more hugs, They did a quick observation of the house for any changes since they'd been gone (there was a major one but that's for another blog, it isn't quite finished yet) then started giving us the things they had gotten for us out there. Finally we all got ourselves up and headed to bed. I'm sure today will be full of more stories about their trip which I can't wait to hear. Ken and I did enjoy our time together and I did enjoy my quiet evenings when Ken was working, but without the boys here, there is a piece of home missing. It is now again... Home sweet Home.

Bringing up the past.

Well there isn't a whole lot going on right now. I'm still missing the boys a lot. It's getting here pretty lonely here without any of my guys. I just want the boys to have a great time.

Any way, I just thought I'd post some of my old blogs on here that I had put on myspace.




Jan. 6 2008

Well I must say I am not much of a blogger but as we get in to the start of a new year, I thought I would maybe try to blog some. We finally took our tree and decorations down this Saturday and I have to say as much as I like to get our home back it is always a little depressing. All the anticipation and planning for the Christmas Holiday and it is over so quickly.Going back to work after all that time off isn't that fun either. As some of you may have seen we have had a pretty exciting end of the year .WE have had to replace our Alero and we found this great Malibu, But we have had some disappointment also. We were so close again to getting an offer on our home that will be on the market for a year the end of February. We had some buyers that had come to look during Christmas break and then came back for a second look the day after New years. After some consideration, they decided to go with a 3 bedroom instead of our 2 . Talk about disappointment. I know that we have put the whole situation in Gods hands and with that I trust that this just wasn't his time for us, not our time but his. However, when we hear music next door @ all hours of the night and stomping up and down the steps, yelling at the TV during a game, all this through the walls, I just can't help but wonder how long the Lord is going to Keep us here. I know though that he has a plan and If I just keep putting my trust in his will He sees The bigger picture. So As we get in to the new year I just pray that it will be a good and safe year for all of my friends and family out there. God Bless


Sept. 26th 2008

Ok I tried to type this yesterday and had connection problems and ended up losing it all so I have to start over. Wednesday was national SEE YOU AT THE POLE DAY, which is where kids can gather around the flag pole at their middle and high schools before school starts and have a time of prayer and worship. In a world today where Christians can be criticized and untolerated in the public schools, this can be a very hard thing (especially for a little fish in a big pond). Tanner came home Tuesday and reminded us that Wednesday was SYOTP day. I asked him if he wanted to go and he said yes. This meant that I would have to get myself up and get going a half hour earlier than normal, but I was not going to discourage him. So I asked him if any of his friends were going to be there and he said he didn't know. So we get up the next morning and are off to school (the sun isn't even totally up yet).The first thing Tanner says when we pull up is Mom, there is no one here my age. He is only in the 6th grade. There were only a few kids and a few facualty there. I told him that's ok you're doing this for the Lord not yourself. He hopped right out of the car and took his place at the pole and didn't look back once. None of his friends ever did show up at the pole. For him to take the initiative on his own to want to do this, stand up and show who he is and what he believes and not worry what others think made me very proud. This may not seem like a big thing to some but for him I know it was. A big step in standing up to all the peer pressures and temptations that will surely come his way the rest of his middle and high school career.

Our Saturday Outing

Well today was a really nice day. Ken and I took advantage of our time without kids and went to PA and spent the day there. We went to the Kitchen Kettle Village first. There we stocked up on some more Jalapeno Jam and just walked around. Then we left there and stopped at another place where we found a wooden basket to put over our well pipe out front. They had a mum in it but the mum didn't come with it and they didn't sell any there but, the basket was on sale so we got it for 5 dollars off. From there we headed back and found a place that had mums. We found a really nice one for 4 something so our whole basket and mum was about 30 dollars which wasn't bad at all. We did however have to make the hole in the bottom of the basket bigger to fit over the well pipe but as you can see from the picture, we got it to work, and I love it. after getting the mum we continued to head back and stopped at the outlets. We ate at the Ruby Tuesday there and then hit a few of the shops. Ken found a little Ravens snowman ornament to put on the tree that we will put in the Raven's room this Christmas and I found some blue Christmas Balls for 50% off. I want to do our Christmas Decorations in Blue and white and silver this year. So I am pretty tired. Next Saturday we will still be kid free so Ken is going to pick where he wants to go. Not sure where that will be yet but I'm sure it will be fun.

" Just the 2 of us "

Well, Here I am again.. I know it's been a while. I really am not much of a writer I guess. The boys left yesterday with my parents to go out to Cali. They are visiting my sister and her family. They were super excited to go. I haven't heard from them today but I'm sure they are having a great time. They will be back on the 18th. They have been out there before but they were like 1 and 3 so they really don't remember it. These are pictures of them on the plane on our trip before.

. Tomorrow Ken and I may take a drive to Bird in Hand PA, go to some of the Amish shops and stuff. Hopefully the weather will be nice. I went last Saturday with my sister in law Debbie. We had a really nice time. There is just so much to see so I'd like to go back again.

Tanner is doing Great. Doing fantastic in school and adjusting very well. I am seeing how he is handling himself in certain situations in school (1 particular bully situation)in such a Christ like manner that makes me so proud . Problem was solved.

Jordan is doing really well Medically Praise God. He went to see the endocrinologist before his trip. He doesn't have to go back there for a while but he will have to go have more lab work done when he gets home. We are still working on trying to get his Synthroid and strattera adjusted. That's a little rough. Jordan just amazes me with the strength that he has facing this cancer. He does know now that his papillary carcinoma is cancer. I know where that strength comes from and I believe he knows where it comes from. Seeing God work in Jordan is just Amazing.

Off to Camp

Well Jordan is now at camp for the week. We took him to the church this morning where they all left from. He has been looking forward to this week for so long. I was a little nervous at first but Lucie, The head of children's ministries called me after they got there and then the camp nurse actually called also. I got to talk with her about the routine and what times to work in his meds and I feel so much better now. I just pray now that he has a much needed and deserved good time and that the Lord just moves in him this week and fills him with his spirit. That Jordan as well as all the children and counselors just have a blessed week. Camp is just a great time for the kids where the holy spirit just works in lives. Tanner went to youth camp in June and had a really good time. I am just so thankful for all the counslors and everyone that gives of their time and themselves who do this for our kids and the Lord.

New update

Well I know it's been quite a while since I've blogged, as some of you who read my blog know, We have had quite an ordeal lately. In less than 1 month, My son Jordan has had 2 surgeries. The first one to remove his thyroid due to Thyroid cancer. He ended up being in the hospital for 8 days due to his calcium levels being to low. It was such a stressful time mentally and physically. Mentally, Seeing what he was going through and just wanting to go home and Physically, going back and forth to the hospital and not sleeping very soundly when we stayed the night there. Anyone who has stayed the night in the hospital knows how that is with the nurses in and out and with room mates. Well he wasn't even home 2 weeks when he had to have another surgery to remove some lymph nodes that had grown since the first surgery. This was suppose to be a one day thing ,In and out the same day but... It didn't happen that way. There were more than they thought and the surgery was more involved so a drain had to be put in again, which meant an overnight stay. Not again.. Well thankfully it was just the one night. Through this whole thing Jordan has been such a strong little guy. I can tell you that with out our Faith in God and our savior Jesus Christ, I just wouldn't want to do this. We have had such an out pouring of prayer and support and just Gods love from family, friends and church family. As well as having family visit at the hospital, We had 3 pastors come see us while we were there , From our church from my parents church and from my brothers church where Tanner and Jordan have gone to for pioneers. We had our friend and the head of our kids ministries come with her husband ,another friend from church, and even Jordan's teacher from this past school year came to see him. We also had friends and family visit after we got home. What a great thing to be a part of the family of God. To just know that our heavenly father who loves us more than we could comprehend is in control. I know that things on this earth aren't always easy, he never promised that they would be but he did promise to never leave our side and always be there. And I stand on that promise.

Let the Summer begin

Well , We're ready. We decided to invest in a pool this year instead of pay for a membership to the local pool. It isn't a permanent pool and it isn't the biggest but it was cheaper than a membership and it will do the trick in keeping us cool all summer long and able to be used next summer too. The kids have already been in it as well as Ken. I am waiting for the water to warm up a little more. Just 12 days left of school for the kids. 13 days left of work for me though. Tanner only has 10 days left though because he is going to youth camp with the church and they will be gone the last 2 days of school. Jordan will be going to kids camp later in the summer. I am so ready for summer break.

update

Well a lot has been going on since my last Blog. We have had a roof put on the house. They were suppose to match the roof to the carport but they are different (the carport has more brown in it than the house) so now they are going to do the carport to match the roof.




We have grilled out again and now we have a new patio table that we got at Home depot to go with the new umbrella that my sister got us. Thanks Karen we love it. We really had a nice time eating out back and spending time out side. The boys have actually asked to do our devotions out there at times which was really relaxing. Looking forward to many more.





Ken had some company the other day while he was outside doing some work. A family of geese came to visit and hung out for quite a while. Walked right through the back gate, Really cute.


Tanner went paint balling for the first time. A friend of his took some friends for his birthday. Tanner,having a cousin that plays semi pro,(BRIAN whoo hoo) I think was the only one that was really prepared. He knew to wear layers even though it was hot and took lots of water, said he had a really good time.


Jordan had his last field day. This is him doinng the 3 leged sack race with one of the girls in his class. The weather couldn't have been any better. I was able to take the day off so I got to go. It's really sad that I will have no more children in Elementary School. They are growing up to quick.

Hopefully it won't take me as long in between my next blogs. I will do my best to keep it better updated.

Getting out

Well, Today was a beautiful Day. For the first time since we've been in our house , we lit up the grill on our back deck and grilled some burgers. Ken sported his Ravens Apron and Oven mitts that he got for Christmas. It was just nice to be out doors with the family. Earlier in the day, we opened up the windows, (they are still open now at 5 of 9 pm.) Ken went to the dump, washed the cars, and I did some laundry and hung it out on my new clothesline. I also got a few boxes out of the shed and attic and emptied a few more out. Ken did some also. All in all it was just a great , beautiful day.
Well earlier this week we had taken Jordan for his thyroid scan. The results are in, They came back inconclusive. This means we now have to go see an Ear Nose and Throat specialist to see where we go from here. I talked to a friend from church who is a nurse and she says they need to stop fooling around (we have had many blood tests and a couple ultrasounds done already) and do a biopsy. If they don't mention it she said we should, especially since these last tests came back inconclusive.
Talked to my Mom and brother today. My Uncle Roger is not doing well. They have called in Hospice. My parents are in CA right now and may be heading back earlier than planned. Seems like there is always something. God is good and he's in control, that's where my strength is.
My brother had a surprise this morning. Something had knocked the rabbit hutch over, roof off and the rabbit was found dead. Doesn't look like an animal got a hold of it, no marks or anything. It's just weird.
One more day left of the weekend. Not sure what the weather's supposed to be like but I hope it's just as great as today.

A day of new things

Today I went and got my hair done at a new place. I went to a place that is practically right behind us, on the next street. I really liked the girl that did it. I thought she did a really good job and I love the style. Her in laws actually live a few doors down from us and had a yard sale today. So after I got my hair done we all walked down to the yard sale.

We met the neighbor next door. These are the ones that live in the house that my sister Karen lived in 20 plus years ago with her girlfriend. The boys actually met her son earlier this week and were playing with him again today. Ken and I were out side briefly when my brother left (He came over to check out the dog run and shed the previous owner had) and she came over and introduced herself. She seems very nice. So everyday brings something new. God is good.

Dragon Tails

Well today, Jordan got himself a dragon fish. He had been wanting one since before we moved from Timberbrook but we told him he'd have to wait until we moved into our own place. He had been saving his own money and so last Friday, we went and got the tank and all the things to get it set up and ready. Today , we went and got the fish. As you can see from the picture it isn't the prettiest thing but interesting. It is something that he paid for all himself and will have to take care of all himself (I am not messing with this.) Ash on the other hand really likes it. I do believe that we are going to find him in his new favorite spot quite often, just sitting and watching. Weather Jordan sticks to his word and takes care of it, or he ends up having to get rid of it (which he will have to do if he fails to take care of it) remains to be seen. Only time will tell.

Well....

Well, Here I am blogging again,I know it's been quite a while. It will be a week tomorrow that we took Jordan to A I Dupont. One more week, then We call to discuss his Blood work. Then The radiation scan over spring break. Gee It has been a while, because I haven't been on here to blog anything since before we went there I believe. I am so glad my God is in control.
We did get some work done outside this past weekend. Finally got that Rhododendron bush in front of Tanner's bedroom window cut back. Boy does the light shine in now. I know it may not have been the right time but it was to out of control. The boys helped out quite a bit by helping Ken drag everything I cut down out back so he could burn it. As you can see there was quite a bit so it didn't all get burnt yet. Now when the weather warms up a little more, I will plant some flowers to give a little more color to the front. Can't wait. Here are before and after pictures.

Ken's big project

Well Ken got the Kitchen floor done. It took him longer than he thought it would but he still got it done in one day and he did a great job. I really like it much better than what was there. The top picture is the Kitchen before we moved in and then under it is after. Then I put a close up of the floor. There are some pictures of the living room too. There are still a few boxes to go through and some other things to do. I am ready for the weather to get warmer though so we can start to do more outside.

Different tastes

Well the boys rooms are finished. We still are going to get Curtains for Tanner's room but the Hardest part is done. As you can tell by the pictures, They both have very different tastes in what they like. Tanner's room is the Black and White checkered room. We only did one wall that way. We used a pizza box to get the right size and it worked perfectly. Ken and Tanner did it all themselves. Jordan wanted Yellow with Blue stripes. He was going to have more stripes but after starting to paint, (he also helped a lot with the painting,) He cut a few out. I don't know where they came up with these patterns and colors but all in all they both turned out pretty well. They are both really enjoying the space that they have come up with for themselves. The Living room is finished and we have the kitchen painted now. I just don't have any pictures yet of the living room. Ken still is going to do the floor in the Kitchen and then I will take pics and post more.

Snow day

Well not to much going on today. The kids are off school (and me work ) due to snow. Ken got home around 7:30 this morning safe and sound. He is off tonight and tomorrow so that is nice. Just waiting for him to wake up so I can do some things around the house and not make to much noise. Hope to unpack a few more boxes today. I posted a pic of our Kitchen in the previous blog. We still want to paint in there and then lay new tile on the floor. The pics with this blog are of our back yard, One from our back window , and the other from our back door. I may post more later today, we'll see.

Where did it all come from??

Well we are all moved in, Thanks to the awesome family that we have and a great friend that we have from PA who came to help, Thanks Derek. We finally have a good bit of the painting done and everything moved in. Now it's just a matter of finding a place to put it all. Who knew we had so much, Aghh !!! So we are taking this opportunity to weed out a bunch of things that we've come to realize we really don't need. The boys have adjusted great to having their own rooms for the first time ever , and the bird and the cats are doing great. I finally got the Kitchen put together last night. Ken worked his first overnighter since we've been here so of course I was trying to keep busy until I just got really tired :) . It went good though and I got a lot accomplished. We still have the bathroom to paint and The Kitchen to paint but at least everything is in it's place. Slowly it is becoming our home and as we get in to doing things we see more and more possibilities that this house holds. This morning the boys were in the back yard hitting golf balls around and just playing in the yard, and I thought about how they wouldn't be able to do that back in TB. Yea, Every day it's more like home.

Getting Closer.

Well the days are getting closer to moving day, and I am sick again. The last time we moved I was
sick too. It's tough because you know that things have to get done but you just don't have the energy to do it. Jordan and I did go to the store this morning and got some things that we will need for cleaning and that type of thing. Well it could be worse, We could be having to pack up a whole house like the last time.

Getting Started

Well this is my first Blog (on here). I have blogged on MS before but I thought I'd give this a try. Since I had to have an account now to comment on my sister and nieces blogs, I figured, What the Heck. Counting Down the days to Settlement, just 4 more to go and still lots to do. As exciting as it is, it will still be sad to go from my parents home again.(first time being when Ken and I got married over 15 years ago). We have been here almost a year. Hadn't expected it to be this long but The Lord knew what he was doing when he put us here. Ken being layed off all summer , car repairs, The plant where Ken worked closing down. Being here has been what we needed and my parents and even my brother (who lives here also,) have been a huge blessing to me and my family. Almost a year after selling our home, Ken has a new job and we are getting ready to move into our new home. I remember thinking it would never happen, but God knew the future.
God is GOOD!!!