It seems like a lifetime has gone by...

Events that have happend in the last three months...

Eli turned one...
I can't believe that my little dude is already a year old. The time is flying by. He started walking a couple weeks after his birthday. He had the most amazing birthday cakes ever crafted by his Auntie and his dad made the other one. We were blessed with so many presents at the parties. I love getting to see everyone.





We sold our house...
We thought when we bought our house that we would keep it for quit a while, but I had a wild notion that I wanted to look at this other house and it seems we have been sucked into it. It only took us like three weeks to sell our house. The inspection and closing was a nightmare. The buyer's agent had it out for us and tried to get every penny and dime that should could manage. I realize that you do best for your customer, but you also have to be ethical and that she was not.

We bought a new house...
This house has been one of the most stressful events of my life. It is one of the main reason that I have not blogged. I figured if I wrote a post I might not be able to handle it. I keep it inside and let it bother me. I should probably work on that. However the house is really awesome and I am excited about getting started on it. It will be a very long process. It will take 8-12 months to renovate and the I'm sure it will always be a work in progress. It was formerly a nursing home and it was built in 1896. It is on the histric registry and we will be retroing it to its original self to the best of our ability. I will do my best to keep an update on it. Also I bought my first piece of furniture for it!






We have been to the lake with our amazing friends...
We had a great time this past weekend with our friends. It is so refreshing just to get a break. I look forward to many more vacations with them and hopefully they will having a calling to Kansas City in the future!!!



Many more things have happened, but I can't remeber them all... I will try to keep it more updated!

A Proud WIfe

Doesn't it feel good to be proud of your husband? On Easter Andy gets to play at our church. I can't tell you how exciting this is! It is great for Andy, because he gets to worship in his favorite way and he loves to play the drums. Eli and I are soo proud!

A Porch Swing

Every since we moved into our house I have been dreaming of a porch swing. I was privileged to get one for my birthday from my in laws!!! I would like to share with you my beautiful swing that my husband and I painted. It has been nice out lately so we have been able to enjoy it a little, but I look forward to long summer days swinging on the porch.



Dude also kicks the ball now. It does not go far or in any aimed direction, but he is way impressive!


Dude also is learning about the outside... he eats sticks too.


Hector our statue outside our house also wanted to include his picture. We got him with the house and we are quite proud of him!



Have I mentioned that my mom's fish had babies the first week that we got it!!! I love them all... this is their first portrait!



Also dude has reliqueshed his binky! It appals him. It is very strang. I guess he really is growing up!

Open Defiance

Eli is now able to openly be defiant. When I try to feed him something that he does not want he will shake his head no at me. That is what I said he shakes his head NO! A part of me is very excited about this. This means that he has the ability to have an opinion. He is not a compliant robot that does whatever someone wants. On the other hand this brings the reality to me that my son is human. I like to think that he is perfect even though I know that is not true. Undoubtedly my son needs the Lord. He is a precious gift from God and I pray every day that he will return his life to God. I pray that no matter what my son grows up to be, a doctor, a teacher, a trash man, whatever the Lord has for him I pray that him and his family will serve the Lord. I fail so often at showing him that direction. I know that God is bigger than myself and he will surround my son with Godly people in his life. Lately I have constantly been reminded that it takes a whole village to raise a child no just his parents. May I never take it upon myself to meet all my sons needs. God may you be the guide in our home.

Happy Birthday My Love!

Today is Andy's birthday. I could not ask for a better husband. I am truly grateful... I would like to tell you a few reasons why....

- Can anyone say Amazing Father!!!! He always wants to play with Eli and do things with him... He takes care of him as much as I do.
- I don't have to nag him. Every single Friday the trash goes out....
- He treats me like a lady. He is always telling me how pretty I look which I am so greatful for.
- We have tons of fun together.... we fly kites in the park. we take walks to the Plaza.
- He cooks me dinner as long as we have all the stuff. I'm not good with the stove so it's a good thing.
- He's an awesome shopper!!! He is always willing to go to the mall with me and pick out stuff. How many wives can say that?
- He loves baseball... It makes for some great past times for our family.
- He is good to my family.
- He is artsy. He will make something that is blah amazing... I admire him for that.
- He is a man of God.

Let's Party

I am so excited about Eli's birthday party. A part of me is very sad, because my baby will already be a year old, but I am excited to celebrate him growing up. We are going to have two parties, one for Kansas City and one for Springfield. I do believe that it is going to be jungle animals themed. Andy and I are working on the invitations, Erin has been sending us cake ideas. It is so exciting! I hope to celebrate Eli's life with him for many years. He truly is an amazing joy in my life. Yesterday when I walked in to pick him up at my parents house he said Ma Ma Ma!!! Yess that's me!!! He also waves at everyone now. It is so funny when we are leaving somewhere he will wave. Also he likes to clap. We clap at most anything... I love watching my boy grow... did I mention that he crawls FORWARD now? Watch out, here he comes!

Battles

Everyday I am forced to pick my battles. As a teacher sometimes my battles are already choosen for me. I am told what my students may do or what they may not do. I am all about the rules until I don't agree with one. Isn't that true of everyone? However when I don't agree with one I become entagled in a battle with myself. As a role model I have come to the conclusion that I must go with the rules of the "land", also known as the school. Everyday my studnets watch every move I make. I always knew that I was not perfect, but it is amazing how many times I mess up when I am being watched all the time. I must monitor every word, every action, even my thoughts so that they don't accidently come out. I always tell my husband that my life is no longer mine. I am always being watched now. No matter where I go I am liable to see my students. I must live in a way that is always an example to them. If I leave my classroom I tell them not to do anything that I would not do. I want them to see a positive example. Someone who is above the rest.

Because my students are physical bodies I am always reminded that they are watching. But should'nt I always live like my life is not my own. I may not be able to see God watching me, but I need to remeber to always live like the daughter that he would want me to me. I love each role in my life and I do my best to embrace them, but I must put this role first. If I can always be God's daughter first than won't everything else fall into place?

Everytime this song comes on I think about how true it is.

One Life to Love:
He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand
Until he started praying for, a second chance
If he could only do it all again
He'd trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk
For all he missed

He tells his wife, "I wish that this moment in this room was not me dying, but just spending a little time with you."

You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love...

She never thought she cared so much about those little hands
That held on tight the day she left
Til she was scared to death
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed, the end of the road
The sun had set on her big plans
To feel young again

She picks up the phone, dials the number, hears that little voice
That's haunted every single mile, since she made that choice

You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love...

You only get just one time around
Only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
One ride, one try, one life...
To love...
To love...


What Could Be Better:
I’ve heard it said today
Is all we’re given
Tomorrow may not come
So you better start living
I guess it all depends
On your point of view

Pardon me if I
Just don’t listen
To everything the world
Say’s I’m missing
There’s nothing here and now
I’m gonna hold on to

I’m living in the days ahead
I’m already dancing on the streets of gold
Can’t stop celebrating in my soul
I’m living in the days ahead
Nothing on earth could ever compare
Can’t wait for the day when I get there
When I see Jesus face to face
Tell me what could be better
Tell me what could be better

If home is where the heart is then I’m in Heaven
It’s the promise of tomorrow
That I’ve been given
Who is waiting there I am living for

He’s everything I love
And I believe in
And I can hardly wait
Just to see Him
And hear Him say well done
I couldn’t ask for more

I’m living in the days ahead
I’m already dancing on the streets of gold
Can’t stop celebrating in my soul
I’m living in the days ahead
Nothing on earth could ever compare
Can’t wait for the day when I get there
When I see Jesus face to face
Tell me what could be better
Tell me what could be better

Life is full of ups and downs
Inside outs, round and rounds
Can’t blame me for dreaming about it

I’m living in the days ahead
I’m already dancing on the streets of gold
Can’t stop celebrating in my soul
I’m living in the days ahead
Nothing on earth could ever compare
Can’t wait for the day when I get there
When I see Jesus face to face
Tell me what could be better
Tell me what could be better


I only get one time around, may I make the best of it so that I may change my family tree....

A Grown Up?

Okay, so maybe dude is not a grown up yet, but he is well on his way! Over the last week or so he has made leeps and bounds on everything.

First, he would like to she with you his black eye. He pulled a toy over on himself at daycare, he said it is part of becoming a man. It broke his mother's heart to see such a pathetic little eye.


Second, this is what Andy found when he came back to get Eli out of his bed. He was standing up!!! He is trying to crawl as well, but he seems to be stuck in reverse.


Thirdly, he has been working on his nutrition.... the dog bones. We sat him on the floor to play and he found himself a dog bone. EWWW!!! However they do say that dog mouths are cleaner then human. Still gross!



Lastly, I do not have picture of it, but he is getting new teeth. I thought he would get his two top teeth next, but he is getting his two side teeth. The child is going to look like a vampire for a while. It is kinda strange!

HIT IT!!!!

We had a wonderful time at my in-laws this weekend. I got an amazing porch swing which I will be sure to post pictures of once I get it put up! It is the perfect present, because I love love love to sing. It will be heavenly this summer while reading a good book. We had the opportunity to see a lot of family. And I must confess that I ate to my hearts desire. Anything that could be bad for me I ate lots of; cookies, bagel bites, ice cream, Alfredo pasta... I love food what can I say! I am actually already hungry for lunch and it is only 7:57. While we were in Springfield Eli actually rolled over multiple times!!! This mommy is so proud! Good job buddy! He also was trying to pull up on stuff. He is just going to take off before I know it, I better go clean the house.

So on our way home yesterday we were tootling down a four lane highway when our worst fear occurred. The car's headlights on the other side of the highway were no longer parallel to ours. They were coming at us. The car came flying over the median and out of the ditch. When it reached our side of the high way it started spinning in circles. Andy hit the breaks as hard as possible and we just started sliding. Strangely I was not scared. I just did not know what was going to happen. We had slowed down long enough that I was hoping if we did hit the car it would not be to hard. Fortunately the car completely crossed our side of the road into the ditch. Before we drive we always pray for safety. So often I accredit things to being luck. My God is not a God of luck. Everything is so intentional and apparently the Lord still has a plan for my family, because had we been seconds sooner our whole family could be gone today. God answers prayer.

To conclude my story we immediately stopped the car and called 911, because we did not know if the other person was okay. Thankfully he was, but the reason he had come over the median, was because he was trying to swerve and miss a raccoon. Do NOT ever swerve to miss an animal and put my family or anyone elses lives in danger. Also the guy informed the cop that the reason he was going so fast was because it had not crossed his mind to apply the breaks before swerving. So the moral of this story is apply your breaks and hit the animal.... my mother-in-law will attest that even a horse won't kill ya!

7 months

Dear Mr. Eli....

You are the light of your family's life! We love you to the moon and back and then some! You are the funniest cutest boy I have ever met. I love to give you a squeeze and you have even started squeezing me back!!!! You change my world every day. When I saw you in May I knew I had to change careers to spend more time with you. Now I teach and we had the opportunity to stay together all of Christmas break! In the last couple of weeks you have decided to become mobile!!! I am so proud, but I am nervous as well. It is so exciting to watch you scoot yourself around and see where you can go. You have taken great interest in your toys. Yesterday you had your animal train upside down and your dad and I decided maybe you wanted to be a mechanic. You love the doggies and they even share their bones with you. However I would prefer that they would not, because that is kinda nasty for you to chew on them as well. Also you do not need the baby bath tub to take a bath anymore. I put some water in the tub and you splash around. You think it is fantastic and we love to watch and laugh with you! You have been participating in reading the Bible with us I hope that you learn to love God's word and have a desire to follow after Him. God may not always be what is popular, but it is definitely the best choice you can ever make in life. I hope that your dad and I can be a great example for you to follow the Lord. Your cousin preached the other day and said some awesome things that I hope I will always remember to tell you throughout life. Son, I love you to the Moon and back. I am so proud of you and it is an awesome privilege to be your mother. And lastly I think you have the ability to be a great man.

I love you!

Mommy

Happy Late New Year!

Our holiday was amazing. We hope next year that Andy will have a longer break with us, but we sure did have some fun. We enjoyed meeting baby Cael and we always love being with the family! Eli's first Christmas was great, he got more than he could ever dream of let me tell ya.


Welcome to the new year of 2009... I have already been corrected once today:)

What a fun year to look forward to...

In 2008 we....

bought our first house!!!

painted every square inch of it!

had an amazing baby boy!

have been to a lot of baseball games!!! We love to go to the baseball games!

visited Springfield many times.

made new friends!

got a new doggie... Annabelle!

went to school to get my masters.

started an actual teaching job! I love it!

and so many other amazing things!


I can't wait to see what 2009 brings. This year our family goal is to read the Bible in a year. We have been doing okay so far. Pray for us that we can make it all the way through. Also we would like to work more on our house... we are going to finish the attic. And finally we would like to lose weight, maybe I should stop eating fudge... who knows. Also this year I would like to blog a bit more. There are so many fun memories that I need to write down!

Christmas Decorations

Andy has been working on this stocking for like three months. Let me say it is AWESOME!!! I hope that it lasts Eli his whole life. My dad still has the one his mom made him and I think that is so cool! Also a picture of duder sleeping in the chair. Sorry that I don't have more pics.
Eli is not in the best of mood today.

Tagged - Eight Things About Me

Erin said for people to do this and I have been entertained by my blog lately so I figured I would give it a try.

8 TV Shows I Watch:
1) House
2) Sometimes Grey's Anatomy
3) Prison Break
4) I LOVE Army Wives
5) House Hunters
6) The Office because I have no choice
7) HGTV
8) Anything on HGTV


8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Jalapenos
2) Jose Pepper's
3) Andy's Frozen Custard
4) Chic Fila
5) Dr. Pepper Fountains
6) Taco Bell
7) Wing Stop; however my pregnant self HATES it
8) Sushi Restaurants


8 Things that Happened to Me Today:
1) I got up before the butt crack of dawn.
2) I was almost late to work.
3) I have been asked to write a pass many times.
4) I have searched on the Internet, alot.
5) I have watched part of Elf.
6) I check my email like 100 times.
7) I went to the special ed party!
8) I ate food.


8 Things I Look Forward To:
1) Christmas Vacation!!!! Starts today...
2) Spending tons of time with duder!
3) Go to visit Springfield.
4) Going on a date with my husband tonight.
5) Christmas!
6) More kids!
7) Summer break!
8) Seeing Eli and Andy!


8 Things I Wish For:
1) For Eli to sleep through the night.
2) A permanent teaching position.
3) To graduate with my masters.
4) For my son to thrive in life.
5) No extra pounds to be added to my body during the Holiday season.
6) A bigger back yard for the doggies and a swing set.
7) My friend to be a zoo keeper so I may get private tours!!!!!
8) A trillion dollars?!?!?

School is coming right along I must say....

So this semester I started a masters degree program to become a teacher. I wanted to invest in young people's lives and really make a difference. Well my first semester of college went great! I got an A in both of my classes. That is really a big deal to me, because I was really worried about doing a masters degree program because, as you can see from reading this blog, I am not the best writer in the world and a masters program is made up of a lot of writing. To continue with my teacher education I also passed my Praxis!!! I'm so excited.... God has really shown me this is the career for me to have...

I've come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my personal approach that creates the climate. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a student's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a student humanized or de-humanized. Hiam Ginott

Loneliness

It is very interesting that you can sit in a room full of people and still be very lonely. Yesterday our pastor preached on loneliness and how Paul was lonely when he was in prison before he died. The pastor went onto talk about how loneliness is something that everyone deals with. I can definitely relate. In the last year I have had two jobs and we have moved. It is hard to make friends when you move and it is hard to make friends at a new jobs. At my new job people have been a whole lot more inviting but it still seems difficult. Today I just feel like an outsider and no one will tell me what is really going on. I guess you could say it is a lonely feeling...

Hopefully I will get a chance to put up some Christmas pictures later...

Snow Days

Snow is a beautiful thing when you don't have to go to work because of it. When I left high school I never dreamed I would have the pleasure of snow days again. Little did I know!

Our weekend was...

Disappointing. We had a big weekend of pie making, visiting Santa, and going to see the lights planned; however, we did not get to do any of those things. Eli and I were sick the whole weekend.

The most exciting thing we did was get my mom her bunnies for Christmas. They are gorgeous. They are jersey woolies and their names are Daisy and Iris. I will get a picture of them for everyone. Did you know that you can actually potty box train a rabbit. Pretty crazy. Huh?

We are both feeling much better now. Thank you.

A New Career?

Sorry about the lack of posting... life seems to get in the way.

Today I started a new career. I really hope that it is a career. I would like to find something that I really like and get meaning out of. I think I might have found that thing! Being a teacher! Today I joined my abandoned class of engineers and wood workers. Yes I said wood... like shop teacher!!! Ah I was not expecting that. I was prepared for the engineering side of things, but not the wood working. It will be an awesome challenge and joy. I want to be a blessing to the students. I know that I will not make a difference in all of their lives, but if I can make a difference in one than I can make a difference in generations. What a concept!!! It is such a challenge and gift...

We also got to enjoy Springfield this weekend. My in laws are always a joy to go see. It is a home away from home except I don't have to do anything! Belinda pours out blessing after blessing after blessing... she has no idea what a relief it is when she comes and when we get to go visit. It is one of the few times I have to just breath in life right now.

We are decorating for Christmas right now... perhaps I will put up some pictures since I will not have to joy of having everyone over. Andy has done an amazing job of working on Christmas and getting the house back up to par after its kitchen renovations. Perhaps I will put pics of the kitchen to....

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving....

and to end my post some things I am grateful for!

1. My amazing husband... I could never be thankful enough

2. My child that blesses me day after day and never ceases to amaze me.

4. My family and in laws... I love how our relationship continues to grow with all of them

5. The wonderful friends that we have made since we moved up here.... (Ben, Deanna, and Josiah)

6. The cousin that Matt and Lindsay are having... I hope they can be best friends.

7. The new daycare Eli has joined... Praise the Lord it does not smell bad.

8. The opportunities God continues to provide.

9. The church that we have found and hope to grow in.

10. My sweet dogs... Herc will always be my first boy.

Thermometer?

Yesterday evening Andy was not feeling well. He had asked me if I thought he had a fever and I said that it was a possibility so maybe he should take his temperature. He then asked where the thermometer was. I told him he should look in the bathroom cabinet. After a few minutes he said I'm dying my temperature in only 36 degrees. And I thought well that is strange. Then he said I have never saw this thermometer where did it come from. Then it occurred to me that he had used Eli's thermometer from the hospital to take Eil's rectal temperature. He earned the name butt mouth for the rest of the night:)

I forgot... what else can I say.

Today we have failed our child as parents. I picked him up from daycare and he was not wearing any pants. I thought oh how cute he must have been warm. No, he had had a messy diaper and did not have extra clothes to put on. Luckily his other daycare peers did not mind that he was not wearing his pants. Furthermore we forgot his gloves, he was not wearing any socks, and he did not have a hat to wear outside. Then she said Oh yes you also forgot to bring him a blanket. Wow we are lucky we got our kid there. I apologized and asked her kindly to please not take it out on my child we are new at this parenting thing. This is just the beginning of learning and growing with our child. I pray that we may always learn from our mistakes.

Tootles,

Mindy